Tories suspend leader at Worcestershire council after he made deal to oust Reform

Reform’s tenure in Worcestershire was criticised after the council received £59.9m of emergency funding and increased council tax 9% to prevent bankruptcy. Photograph: travelbild/Alamy

The Conservatives have suspended the party’s leader at Worcestershire county council after he made a deal with the Greens and Liberal Democrats to oust Reform.

Reform UK gained control of the council a year ago but its tenure has been marked by a series of controversies and political infighting. This included a bitter leadership battle in which the now former Reform councillor Jo Monk was replaced as leader of the council in April.