Tories ease up on the whip as vote for leader looms
Police investigating after ‘malicious’ social media post
THE Conservative group on Staffordshire Moorlands District Council have removed the threeline whip ahead of today’s meeting to elect a new leader.
The move comes after intense criticism of the move, revealed in last week’s Post & Times, as well as fresh revelations that police are looking into an alleged malicious communication on social media regarding the leadership battle.
A spokeswoman for Staffordshire Police said: “Police were called at 4.25pm on 26 April to a report of malicious communications.
Enquiries are ongoing.”
Meanwhile, the honorary president of Staffordshire Moorlands Conservative Association has called for the result of last month’s meeting to elect a new leader of the Conservative group, to be suspended.
That meeting saw Sybil Ralphs defeated after 15 years leading the council, and Paul Roberts take her place as leader of the Tory group.
In a letter to the Post & Times, county and district councillor Ian Lawson said: “It is my humble opinion that the result of that meeting should be suspended, and that another meeting should take place when some important issues can be clarified.”
In another letter, a call has been for the two motions put forward for tonight’s meeting to be withdrawn following ‘disturbing’ social media content.
Independent councillor Andrew Hart said: “Considering the events of the past few weeks surrounding the election of a new Conservative leader of their group, I call upon Conservative Central Office to instigate an immediate inquiry into the conduct of those running that meeting and election.
“The two notices of motion for the Annual General Meeting of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council scheduled for May 4 should be withdrawn until the inquiry is concluded. “Additionally, further investigations should take place into the running of the Staffordshire Moorlands Conservative Association with particular attention given to its management, conduct of officers and social media activity, with disturbing and dangerous content.”
Two motions have been put forward which involve removing Councillor Ralphs, still the leader of the District Council, from the post and electing Councillor Roberts in her place.
The first motion put forward by Councillor James Aberley states: “That the Full Council of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council removes the current leader of the council from post.”
The second motion reads, should the first motion be approved, states: “That the Full Council of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council elects Paul Roberts, the Conservative Group Leader, as leader of the council.”
However, the Conservative group have now stated that they will not introduce a three-line whip on the voting as indicated last week.
A statement to the Post & Times said: “The Conservative Group will not be whipping the vote on the motion to remove the current council leader on Wednesday and will allow any of our councillors to vote with their conscience as can any member of the council.
“We also will not be formally whipping the vote in the election of Paul Roberts as leader.
“However, of course it is always to be expected that Conservative councillors vote for the Conservative group leader in elections such as this, which would be consistent with their party membership.”
Following the Tories’ group meeting for members to elect a new leader, the Post & Times contacted the group’s secretary for the result of the ballot, but was told
that it was secret.