Ex-council leader quits Tory group over abuse claims

Jonathan Nunn says he "recognises the merits" of leaving the Conservative group

An ex-council leader subject to domestic abuse allegations has resigned from the authority's Conservative group.

Jonathan Nunn stepped down as leader of West Northamptonshire Council after five women told the BBC he assaulted and abused them.

The South Northamptonshire MP Dame Andrea Leadsom called on the local party to suspend him.

Mr Nunn has strenuously denied the claims against him.

Although Mr Nunn had resigned from the role of leader, he remained a Tory councillor.

But the latest development means he sits on the council as an independent member.

Dame Andrea Leadsom said it was "unacceptable" for Mr Nunn to remain a Tory councillor

Dame Andrea Leadsom emailed 65 of her Conservative colleagues on Thursday, saying that it was "unacceptable" that Mr Nunn was still representing the party on the council.

She pointed out how she had introduced a system in parliament to deal with complaints, which meant it was "standard practice" for MPs who had serious allegations against them to resign the whip or be suspended while investigations took place.

Mr Nunn earlier issued a statement: “I fully recognise the merit of the parliamentary system which sees elected members leave their party group during active investigations, and I would propose that this is adopted by the WNC Conservative group as policy.

"I am therefore voluntarily resigning the group whip, in accordance with that policy.”

He previously cited a campaign of harassment following the allegations.

The new council leader Adam Brown has welcomed Mr Nunn's decision

Mr Nunn's replacement as council and Conservative group leader, Adam Brown, said: "I welcome councillor Nunn’s decision to accept the practice adopted in parliament and allow both our group and the council to concentrate on the vital services we provide to residents."

A detective for Northamptonshire Police has told the BBC it was reviewing the cases connected to Mr Nunn and has been speaking to his alleged victims.

Mr Nunn and the South Northamptonshire Conservative Association was earlier approached for further comment.