Former RMBC opposition leader quits Conservative group, alleging bullying behavior

She said new Tory group leader Cllr Simon Ball had created a “hostile environment” for her — something he strongly denies, and points out no complaints have been made.

Cllr Barley and her mum, Cllr Jill Thompson, will sit as a new group — the Independent Conservatives — until the May 2024 elections.

Cllr Barley said: “I have resigned from the Rotherham Council Conservative group because Cllr Simon Ball has made it a hostile environment for me, and I have reached the limit of what I can cope with in what is already an indescribably difficult time for me.”

She added: “When I led the Conservative group, Cllr Simon Ball and I clashed at times.

“After I announced my pregnancy, this escalated to bullying behaviour from him.

“His behaviour made what should have been a joyful time very difficult for me, and at times it was really horrible.

“Nevertheless, I tried to roll with the punches, reasoning that politics is tough and leadership is not supposed to be easy.”

Cllr Barley’s baby Beatrice died during labour because of medical negligence at Barnsley Hospital on May 20 last year.

After returning from leave in January, she stepped down as group leader and says Cllr Ball showed no compassion over the loss of her baby.

“In the four months since his election as leader, Cllr Ball has barely spoken a word to me,” Cllr Barley added.

“He pretends I do not exist, going to great lengths to avoid my eye, moving away, and only speaking to me when forced to by my speaking to him.

“Even then, at times he turns away and ignores me. He has not asked how I am one single time.

“He does, however, frequently refer to my time as leader of the group in negative and degrading ways.”

In March, Cllr Barley left the room to avoid voting when Cllr Ball's budget proposals went before full council.

A Tory member of 17 years, she said she was still a Conservative and was resigning from the group for “very local and very personal” reasons.

Cllr Thompson added: “I am so very sad to say that while we have been mourning Beatrice, Cllr Ball has continued his nasty ways and made it impossible for us to continue in the Conservative group. It is a relief to be out.”

Cllr Ball said: “I would like to thank Cllr Barley for all that she has put into the Rotherham Conservative group.

“What Emily has been through is truly tragic and as a parent I cannot imagine what she is going through.

“I strongly refute any allegations put to the party in Rotherham.

“The Conservative party has a very robust complaints procedure the councillor could have used but she declined to take up, either as group leader or in the subsequent period.”