A FURIOUS Cookley councillor has resigned from the Conservative Party because of “meddling” and “political interference” from a senior colleague.

Worcestershire County Councillor Gordon Yarranton, who also sits on Wyre Forest District Council, has walked out on the Tories after 12 years following a dispute with Councillor Marcus Hart.

He will now serve as an independent on the five authorities he sits on – county, district, Bewdley Town, Wolverley and Cookley Parish and Kidderminster Foreign Parish.

Both Councillor Hart and the Wyre Forest Conservative Association declined to respond to Councillor Yarranton’s accusations of interference but said they wished him well in the future.

The split was caused by a row over the reprieve of the former commercially run 9/9A bus service which serves the Cookley and Caunsall villages that fall in Councillor Yarranton’s electoral area.

He said he felt his role in persuading the county council to fund the temporary six-month service had been overlooked by Councillor Hart in an announcement he made about the issue.

And Councillor Yarranton added further comments from his colleague that the council couldn’t run the service permanently had undermined his efforts to find a long term solution.

He said: “Meddling and political interference in my division by Councillor Hart has made it impossible to represent my residents without giving the impression that I am being controlled by the Conservative Party establishment.

“I would remind him that the Worcestershire County Council job description states that councillors will not involve themselves in any matter which relates to another councillor’s electoral area without his or her permission.

“That is what he has done here. I provided the funds for the temporary bus service and I attended many meetings with officers that he didn’t. But he didn’t consult with me in advance of making his announcement nor did he acknowledge my major role.

“His comments also left residents feeling it was a foregone conclusion that the service would end after six months.”

He added that he refused to attend a disciplinary panel called by the Wyre Forest Conservative Association after he had vented his fury at Councillor Hart in the June 9 issue of the Shuttle.

Councillor Yarranton said: “This is a county council matter and not a local Conservative Party issue.

“As an elected councillor, I try to represent all my residents impartially, regardless of their political leanings.

“I have decided that I can represent all the people of Wyre Forest Rural ward more fairly and without the heavy baggage of a political party agenda. I am now the independent voice of residents in my county council division.”

Councillor Hart, who is also leader of Wyre Forest District Council, said: "It is always very sad when a member leaves the group.

“May I take this opportunity to thank Gordon most sincerely for all his years of service and wish him all the very best for the future.”

Howard Williams, chairman of Wyre Forest Conservative Association, said: “Councillor Yarranton has been a hard-working councillor at District, County and Parish levels.

“However, he feels he can best serve his residents by not being with the Conservatives which is regrettable.

“We do however thank Gordon for his service over the last few years and wish him well in the future.”