FORMER leader of Redditch Borough Council, and councillor for Webheath and Callow Hill, Matt Dormer has left the Conservative Party.
This comes as speculation was rife on social media, with rumours that he had planned to defect to Reform UK.
Coun Dormer was the leader of Redditch Conservative group.
Following the rumours, the Standard contacted both Coun Dormer for clarification of the situation, but he didn’t return our call.
The speculation was fuelled further, when Coun Dormer did not attend Redditch Borough Council’s annual budget meeting.
This leaves four sitting Conservative councillors on the borough council.
A spokesperson for Redditch Conservatives today confirmed that Coun Dormer had been suspended.
In a post on Facebook, they said: “We confirm that Matt Dormer has been suspended pending an investigation.
“Out of respect for Matt and the process we will not be commenting further until we have the results of that investigation.
“As Matt has been suspended the Conservative Group on Redditch BC will elect their leader in accordance with our internal procedures.”
In a post on his social media, Coun Matt Dormer, said: “Over the past few days there has been a great deal of speculation and some deeply unpleasant commentary online about me and my family.
“I want to be clear that a number of allegations circulating on social media are completely false and defamatory.
“I will not be engaging in online arguments, but I will take advice regarding the repeated publication of false claims.
“I am dealing with a procedural matter with the Conservative Party privately and through the proper processes, and it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on that at this stage. However I’m confident this will be rectified shortly.
“My focus remains on representing the residents of Webheath and Callow Hill and continuing the work I was elected to do, As well as, of course, protecting my family.”
