It is believed the new head of human resources has left her £50,000 a year position after only two months in the job - costing the Craigavon ratepayer thousands in recruitment costs.

It is believed she will serve her notice until October and return to her previous position at another authority.

A council insider said he was shocked, but not entirely surprised to see the job vacated so soon.

He said: "It is another setback for the council, which is under mounting pressure to reform its staffing problems.

"This person was supposed to drive forward council staff reforms and initiate change and now the we have been left hanging."

The insider added: "It will be difficult to see if anyone will ever take this job, if big money is not enough of an incentive then it is hard to see what would entice someone to the job."

Council chiefs will see this as a further blow to the integrity of the council.

In July the 'MAIL' exclusively revealed the details of a controversial report into serious problems within the council's leisure services department.

One of the recommendations from the Heaton Report was for the council to appoint a permanent head of human resources as soon as possible.

Earlier chief executive Francis Rock received a death threat and is on extended sick leave with stress.

And leisure services director, Ross Millar has been on extended sick leave.

In their absence the council has appointed an interim chief executive and an acting head of leisure services.

The council accounts show that the two individuals are paid in excess of £20,000 a month.

Councillor Dolores Kelly said serious question needed to be asked over the council recruitment policy.

She said: "This is the latest development in a long line of problems at the Civic Centre.

"I believe the person appointed did not want the problems of Craigavon to tarnish their own reputation and hamper their career."

"The recruitment of this individual would have cost the council thousands."

The council refused to comment.