Shake-up at ‘disloyalty’ row council

Coun Matthew Grove was demoted from his Cabinet position at East Riding Council following the annual meeting of the council Conservative Group. Coun Grove was the only Cabinet member to vote against the “golden goodbye” given to council director Sue Lockwood last year.

He was among those called to give evidence at an East Riding candidates committee which last November decided to exclude 10 councillors – including council leader Stephen Parnaby – from the list of candidates.

Coun Parnaby and eight colleagues eventually won the right to stand in the elections following an appeal.

Another loser was Coun Paul Robinson who also gave evidence. He lost his chairmanship of the Goole and Howdenshire Local Action Team.

A source said: “It’s payback time for being disloyal.”

However, Coun Parnaby insisted that was not the case and those who had lost positions “were as much as part of the group as anyone else”.

He added: “I am prepared to draw a line under it. It is up to people within the group to step up to the mark. If people use their energies in the right place they will be rewarded.”

Coun Robinson said he felt “quite philosophical” about what had happened, saying it was “expected and predictable”. He added: “I will be concentrating on working for the 2,640 residents in Howdenshire who elected me.”

A TaxPayers’ Alliance spokesman Andrew Allison, said: “If you disagree with the leader’s decision you are removed from positions, including those on scrutiny committees.”

The Tories strengthened their grip on the council in last week’s elections and totally dominate the authority after winning 53 of the 67 seats up for grabs.