Two Stockport Labour councillors have resigned amid claims the party has failed to take action over bullying and harassment in the local group. Coun Andy Sorton and Coun Amanda Peers confirmed they were now standing as independents in impassioned speeches at the council’s annual budget setting meeting.
It comes just five months after Coun Matt Wynne - who has since formed the new Edgeley Community Association party - quit Labour alleging the local party had been taken over by the ‘far left’. The pair were responding to a public question from Rachel Glindon. She asked for an update on what action had been taken after it was revealed a woman was compared to ‘Jabba the Hutt’ in a WhatsApp group whose members included councillors and members of the local party.
The offending remark was made by a trade union official. Coun Peers who was deemed 'unfit' to stand at the next local elections by the local candidate party's selection panel was the first to respond.
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She has always rejected the finding - which did not stop her from continuing as a Labour councillor till May, or being a member of the party - and describes herself as being 'intergrated' in the community she serves. The former cabinet member said the Labour group whip - Coun Kate Butler - had launched an investigation in September, but those involved had refused to cooperate.
