Tory group leader quits over bust-up

The group announced that Anston and Woodsetts ward councillor Darren Hughes had left their ranks in an official statement released earlier this week.

Cllr Hughes, who was elected to Rotherham Borough Council in 2008, will now operate in his role as a councillor in an independent capacity.

In a statement issued to the Advertiser yesterday, Cllr Hughes confirmed: “I have left the Conservative group handing in my resignation on the 26th July.

“This was accepted by Councillor Gilding on the 31st of July.

“I have also at the same time resigned from my positions as constituency chairman for the Rother Valley Conservative association and as deputy chairman for the Conservative Party for South Yorkshire, along with my membership of the Conservative Party.

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“The reason for my departure is due to irresolvable differences within the group over policy and conduct.”

A statement issued by the Rotherham Conservative Group said: “Darren Hughes, local councillor for Anston and Woodsetts, resigned his position in the Rotherham

Conservative Councillors Group last week citing a breakdown in personal and political relations with other councillors.

“As a result the positions he held as Rother Valley Conservative Association chair, and South Yorkshire Area deputy chairman have been reappointed.

“Cllr Hughes remains a councillor for the present as an independent representative.”

A spokesperson for the Rotherham Conservatives added: “We are sad to see Cllr Hughes leave the group, but he obviously felt the differences could not be resolved by his remaining.”

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