Four senior managers have been suspended from the Scottish Borders' largest care provider.

SB Cares, which is run by Scottish Borders Council, employs 800 staff to provide adult social care services across the region - including home care, care homes, day services and independent living services.

It is understood the managers have been suspended amid allegations of bullying and misconduct.

Scottish Borders Council originally confirmed an investigation was ongoing, but wouldn't discuss the suspensions.

MSP Christine Grahame then hit out at the council's stance and said it should be reassuring the people who rely on SB Care that their services will not be affected.

She said: "If senior members of staff are suspended pending investigations, then who is doing their jobs?"

Ms Grahame wrote to the local authority's leader, Shona Haslam, and was informed that it was an employment matter but services would not be affected.

The MSP added: "Then why not make that public? People need to know that [SB Care] will turn up when they say they will turn up."

The council later released an extended statement following Ms Grahame's criticism.

It said: "The council can confirm it is investigating allegations. These do not relate in any way to the provision of care to our clients.

"As we are required to, we have reported the matter to the Care Inspectorate and Scottish Social Services Council, and would reiterate that given these matters do not relate to service users there is absolutely no risk to our clients or impact on our usual high standard of service delivery.

"To achieve this we have put in place robust interim management arrangements."