Council elects new leader after Tory suspension

Mike Bird had led the authority since 2018 and stood down at a meeting on Monday

Walsall Council has appointed a new leader, with his predecessor saying he stood down on Monday after the national Conservative party “interfered in local politics”.

Mike Bird had led the authority since 2018, but was suspended from the Conservative Party for three months in May following a disciplinary investigation.

Mr Bird told the BBC the party then also issued a directive to Walsall’s Conservative councillors, saying they could not support a non-Conservative leader if they had a majority.

The Conservative party has been approached for comment.

Mr Bird stood down and the council elected Garry Perry as its new leader at a meeting on Monday.

Mr Bird told the BBC that the directive had left his fellow councillors in a position where they could have been penalised for supporting him - something that he did not want “on my conscience”.

He added: “Unfortunately the national party want to interfere in local politics, which they have.”

The council elected Garry Perry as its new leader at a meeting on Tuesday

The Conservatives retained control of Walsall Council in last month’s local elections, winning 12 seats compared to five for Labour and three for independent candidates.

Mr Bird had faced calls from some councillors, both Labour and Conservative, to stand down during his investigation and he said last month he was “considering” his position.

Mr Bird said the investigation had cleared him of allegations of racism and he had lodged an appeal against his suspension.

A spokesperson for the Conservative party said last month that the suspension process was confidential.

Mr Perry, who has been a councillor since 1998 and served as Walsall’s mayor in 2011, said in a statement on Tuesday it was “a privilege” to become council leader.

Mr Bird said the new leader had his full support, adding that "there is no malice or animosity between me and Garry - there never will be.”

The former leader, who has led the council three times since 2009, added that he would continue serving as an independent councillor and return to the Conservative party when his suspension ended on 8 August.

“I will continue to support the Conservatives,” he said.

“I have not left the Conservative party - the Conservative party has left me.”

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