Conservatives suspend group leader

The leader of Redditch Borough Council's Conservative group has been suspended by the party - after he was linked to a potential defection to Reform UK.

Councillor Matt Dormer is under investigation and is now listed as an independent on the authority's website.

Tory party officials said they would "not be commenting further" until the probe had finished.

Dormer said: "I can't comment as it's an internal matter, and a procedure has to be followed."

The BBC understands Dormer has been telling Tory colleagues he had no intention of defecting, and the suspension came as a surprise.

Dormer was first elected to the council in 2015 and was the authority's leader until the Conservatives lost control at the 2024 elections.

The suspension has further depleted the Tory ranks at the Labour-led authority, with the Conservative group now holding just four of the 27 council seats.

Jane Potter, chair of Redditch County Conservatives, said: "We can confirm that Matt Dormer has been suspended pending an investigation.

"Out of respect for Matt Dormer and the process, we will not be commenting further until we have the results of that investigation.

"As Matt Dormer has been suspended, the Conservative Group on Redditch Borough Council will elect their leader in accordance with our internal procedures."

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