A long-standing Tory councillor has been reinstated to his party after being suspended and investigated for his ‘conduct’ at a recent council meeting.
Coun Iain Gartside, who was first elected in 2004 and represents Tottington ward, was listed as an independent member for five days after losing the Conservative Party whip last Thursday.
Opposition leader Coun Russell Bernstein said he had suspended Coun Gartside from the party while he conducted an investigation into ‘issues which have been brought to my attention’. Coun Gartside’s suspension came less than a day after he failed to vote with his party on a Radcliffe First motion demanding a review of school meal arrangements in the borough.
