MEMBERS of the Labour group on Warrington Borough Council have agreed to suspend rebel councillor Kevin Bennett 'indefinitely'.

The Fairfield and Howley councillor spoke out against Labour's budget last month.

And at a disciplinary hearing held last night, Thursday, they agreed to suspend him in an 'overwhelming' vote.

The Warrington Guardian understands four people voted in favour of Clr Bennett.

Earlier this week, Clr Bennett, who could now sit on the council as an independent, said he had been 'bullied'.

Speaking after his suspension Clr Bennett said: "Since 2010 I have been subject to a number of unpleasant approaches and remarks by members of this Labour Group which have sought to damage my reputation and question credibility.
 

"I am extremely proud to represent the people of Fairfield and Howley as a Labour/Co-Operative Party councillor and was humbled to secure my re-election last May.


"My fellow ward councillors have made it clear that they have no desire to work with me within the ward and they have made it obvious that they have no wish to be associated with me."

Clr Bennett added he would appeal against the suspension.


 

The leader of Warrington Borough Council and the Labour group, Clr Terry O’Neill (LAB – Burtonwood & Winwick) commented: “Our strength lies in unity and taking collective responsibility for the decisions of our administration, key to which is the setting of the Council budget.

"The group has followed due process in arriving at this decision, which has been made in light of the full facts concerning the breaches of Labour party rules.

"Clr Bennett now has a right of appeal as per normal procedures.

 “In our budget, we have delivered the best possible outcome for Warrington in dealing with the Government’s savage funding cuts.

"That is what protects vulnerable people in our town, not abdicating the responsibility placed in us by the electorate.

"It has been disappointing in recent weeks to read the misinformation from Clr Bennett about the budget, the possible alternatives and this situation.

"The Labour group has acted decisively tonight in moving to bring this matter to a close.”

Meanwhile Clr Chris Vobe (Culcheth and Glazebury) and Clr Hitesh Patel (Great Sankey) both remain under administrative suspension over Clr Vobe's alleged computer hacking of Clr Patel's e-mails, which was dismissed by prosecutors.

The CPS announced last month it would not bring criminal charges in the matter.