Former Council Leader Suspended From His Political Group

Neil Bannister

The former Leader of Harborough Council has been suspended from his Conservative group for six months, after intervening in a controversial new housing development set for near Lutterworth.

It’s after concerns were raised about a letter Neil Bannister wrote to Leicestershire County Council, which is behind the near 3000-home plan, raising concerns over parts of it, despite having voted in favour of the planning application when it was approved in July.

Cllr Bannister, the member for the Dunton ward, wrote in his capacity as chairman of the South Leicestershire Conservative Association.

In response, a reply from the county council’s director of law and governance Lauren Haslam said there was ‘strong concern’ about what he had written.

Council Leader Phil King said: “At an extraordinary meeting of the Harborough District Conservative Councillors Group on Thursday August 27, Coun Neil Bannister was suspended for the maximum permitted time of six months from the Conservative councillors Group.

“During this period of suspension he will not be permitted to attend any Conservative Group meetings.”

Councillor Bannister has appealed his suspension and told Hfm he could not comment until the appeal had been heard.