Local Tories in disarray as local councillor backs Lib Dem in by-election

7.57.57pm GMT Wed 28th Jan 2009

Conservative District Councillor Brian Hooton has resigned from the Tories and backed Liberal Democrat candidate Ray Cooper in the by-election in the Plaistow ward to be held on 5th February.

The by-election was called following the resignation of a Conservative Councillor who had had a poor attendance record. That hadn't stopped him collecting more than £5,500 in allowances - more than £500 a meeting he attended since the May 2007 elections.