Lib Dem branch suspended in rules probe

A Liberal Democrat branch in a key marginal seat has been suspended while a probe into a "breach of the party's rules" is carried out, the party confirmed today.

The North West Leicestershire branch of the Liberal Democrats is now being run by the East Midlands regional party until further notice.



The seat was held by the Conservatives from its creation in 1983, then fell to David Taylor in the Labour landslide in 1997.



In the 2005 election Mr Taylor received 21,449 votes - just 4,477 ahead of Conservative rival Nicola Le Page.



Mr Taylor died unexpectedly of a heart attack on Boxing Day while out walking with his family.



The North-West Leicestershire seat is due to be fought at the upcoming general election by Conservative candidate Andrew Bridgen, Labour's Ross Willmott, Lib Dem Paul Reynolds, UKIP's Martin Green, and BNP candidate Ian Meller.



It has been reported the suspension of the Lib Dem branch has come as a result of infighting in the party, following an attempt to oust county and district councillor Michael Wyatt, but today the party's headquarters could not confirm any details.



A spokesman said: "No individual member has been suspended from the party and Councillor Michael Wyatt remains a member of the Liberal Democrats as a serving councillor.



"I can confirm the North West Leicestershire local party has been suspended, pending an internal investigation into a breach of the party's rules.



"The Liberal Democrats' regional party for the East Midlands will assume the management role for the local party until further notice.



"The PPC's campaign in NW Leicester will continue subject to the agreement of the regional party."

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Top stories
News in pictures
World news in pictures
UK news in pictures
UK news in pictures
More stories
       
Independent
Travel Shop
India and Shimla
14 nights from only £1899pp Find out more
Prague city break
Three nights from £199pp Find out more
4* Soreda hotel break, Malta
Seven nights all-inclusive from £399pp Find out more
Independent Dating
and  

By clicking 'Search' you
are agreeing to our
Terms of Use.

iJobs Job Widget
iJobs General

Long Term School Administrator - Manchester

£45 - £60 per day: Randstad Education Manchester Primary: Long term School Adm...

Procurement/ Sub Contracts Manager - Petrochemical

£35000 - £55000 per annum + Bonus & Relocation: Progressive Recruitment: Our c...

Maths teacher

Negotiable: Randstad Education Reading: We are seeking to recruit enthusiastic...

Supply Teachers- Reading

Negotiable: Randstad Education Reading: Secondary supply teaching jobs in Read...

Day In a Page

Watch out Watford: Here comes the secretive Bilderberg Group

Watch out Watford: Here comes the secretive Bilderberg Group

A meeting of global power brokers in a Hertfordshire hotel is exciting conspiracy theorists, but what are they really about?
'The ultimate all-in-one home entertainment system': Microsoft finally unveils its Xbox ONE console

'The ultimate all-in-one home entertainment system'

Microsoft finally unveils its Xbox ONE console
Plenty of Fish dating site founder pulls 'Intimate Encounters' option to ward off sleazy men

Plenty of sleaze

Dating website pulls intimate 'hook-up' section to curb harassment
Inferno author Dan Brown 'honoured' to be invited to join the Freemasons

The Freemasons’ Code

Dan Brown reveals the message that told him door to the lodge is open
Not secure any more: G4S boss heads for exit at last

Not secure any more: G4S boss heads for exit at last

Nick Buckles survived the Olympics débâcle and a £5bn bid fiasco but a profit warning finally triggered his downfall
How to say ‘I’m a sellout’: Tumblr’s David Karp’s message of reassurance to his staff sounded very familiar

How to say ‘I’m a sellout’

Tumblr’s David Karp’s message of reassurance to his staff sounded very familiar
Why clubs are keen to take a stand

Why clubs are keen to take a stand

There's a real desire around the grounds for safe standing. But will the authorities listen?
In the end the fans decided Tony Pulis had made a pig's ear of the job at Stoke City

In the end the fans decided Tony Pulis had made a pig's ear of the job at Stoke City

Disillusion with a siege mentality and negative playing style made change inevitable
James Lawton: The James Hunt I knew is the subject of a new F1 movie

James Lawton: The James Hunt I knew is the subject of a new F1 movie

British driver was fascinating man whose epic duel with Niki Lauda in 1976 was typical of an era of glamour and glory – but also the ever-present threat of death
Stuart Hogg: Ready to climb his own Everest

Stuart Hogg: Ready to climb his own Everest

Lions' cub, 20, joins long line of players from Scottish borders club Hawick given opportunity to make his mark at highest level
Carl Froch handed rare chance of revenge with dream rematch

Steve Bunce on Boxing

Carl Froch handed rare chance of revenge with dream rematch against Mikel Kessler
'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'

Masculinity in crisis?

'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'
Have US shock jocks gone too far?

Have US shock jocks gone too far?

An incendiary remark from Rush Limbaugh may be the beginning of the end for outspoken right-wing US broadcasters
The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey pays more income tax than big cities of the North

The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey

Elmbridge pays more income tax than big cities of the North
Heavenly Bodies

Heavenly Bodies

Michael Landy's artistic marriage made in heaven... and hell