Northants Conservative quits party over Jonathan Nunn abuse claims

Richard Solesbury-Timms has represented Middleton Cheney for the Conservatives since 2021

A Conservative councillor has resigned from the party group over the way his party dealt with allegations against the council leader.

Richard Solesbury-Timms, who represents Middleton Cheney on West Northamptonshire Council, will now sit as an independent.

The Tory group on the council said "we wish him well".

Former council leader Jonathan Nunn stepped down last week after allegations of domestic violence.

The BBC spoke to five women who made allegations, which Mr Nunn "strenuously denies", including threatening or controlling behaviour.

'Most vulnerable'

Mr Solesbury-Timms had been a prominent figure in the Northamptonshire village of Middleton Cheney, chairing the library action group and neighbourhood watch.

He was elected to West Northamptonshire Council when it was created in 2021.

In a statement he said: "I will be, as of today, an independent.

"I personally cannot stand by due to the inaction and the stance of the leadership toward the allegation of the council leader [who] has now stepped down from that role."

He added that a "red line" had been crossed "as most of the council's budget goes towards the most vulnerable within our society".

Jonathan Nunn said he strenuously denied the allegations against him

Mr Solesbury-Timms was one of four independent councillors who released a new statement, calling for Mr Nunn to resign as an elected member and for the Conservative group to remove the whip immediately.

Their statement read: "We have lodged a complaint with the national Conservative Party demanding his suspension as the local party will not act."

Mr Nunn would not be welcome to sit with them if he were suspended by the Tories, they added.

More Tory councillors have issued statements setting out their position.

Anna King said: "As a survivor of DV [domestic violence] myself, I can no longer tolerate the damage this situation is causing and the upset and pain victims must be feeling."

Sam Rumens said: "It is the correct decision for Jonathan to step down amidst multiple accusations of domestic abuse.

"It is now up to Jonathan to do what he believes is right and for the party to consider its response."

The acting leader of the Conservative group, Adam Brown, said: "Councillor Solesbury-Timms didn't speak to the group leadership before writing to council officers announcing his resignation and we don't fully understand why he felt the need to resign. Jonathan Nunn is no longer the leader of the council or our group.

"We wish him well as an independent."

Following calls from domestic violence charities for West Northamptonshire Council to respond to the allegations, the council said it did not have powers to suspend or remove an elected member.