HILLINGDON: Scandal-hit councillor leaves Tories (From This Is Local London)

HILLINGDON: Scandal-hit councillor leaves Tories

1:53pm Monday 21st July 2008 in

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A Northwood councillor has resigned as a Tory after he was arrested in connection with a hate campaign.

Councillor Ian Oakley, of Northwood Ward, was arrested on Friday and bailed for criminal damage and harassment targeted at Lib Dems in Watford, where he was campaigning for a seat in Parliament.

Councillor Ray Puddifoot, the leader of Hillingdon Council, said: "I think this is the honourable thing. He doesn't want anything reflecting on the party so he's decided to resign as a member of the Conservative group.

advertisement"We'll just have to see how this unravels."

Cllr Oakley, who was Cllr Puddifoot's cabinet assistant, will still hold his Northwood seat, and will be able to vote in meetings as normal, but will now sit as an independent.

Councillor Anthony Way, leader of the Labour group on the council, said: "The honourable thing to do would be to resign as a councillor and I'm surprised Ray isn't asking for the same.

"I'd imagine people in Northwood will be asking for a by-election because they elected this man on a Conservative ticket. I'd imagine they're absolutely spinning."

Lib Dem councillors in Watford have in the past faced poison pen letters, vandalism and malicious phone calls.

Cllr Oakley's arrest followed a three-year investigation by police.

In a letter sent to party members, Cllr Puddifoot said: "It is indicative of Ian's high respect for the Conservative Party that he has chosen to put that above his own personal predicament.

"Ian is a talented young man who has proved to be a hard working and popular ward councillor."