THE newly-elected leader of a council’s Conservative group has come under heavy fire from a fellow councillor.

Cllr Philip Dennis – who was beaten by Matthew Vickers in the race to become the new Tory leader on Stockton Borough Council - accused the former William Hague aide of a “self-centred agenda” and a lack of loyalty to former MP James Wharton.

In an email seen by The Northern Echo, Cllr Dennis said things had “developed” to prove his “mistrust” in Cllr Vickers’ “esteemed character”.

He is also critical in the email of his “lack of support” for Mr Wharton, who lost his seat in June’s General Election.

He blames Cllr Vickers for spending too much time campaigning on behalf of Conservative candidates in neighbouring seats.

In the email Cllr Dennis said: “As members here already know, you were happy to take your tribe off to Darlington, Middlesbrough South (and east Cleveland), Stockton North and other places – your lack of support for James on the ground was minimal, even when the polls were showing he would lose.

“I am not saying you are to blame for his loss, but I do wonder if your own self-centred agenda had shown James some loyalty and you had remained here things would be a little different.

“But then you know the people based in London have little opinion of you anyway so why would you strive to help them.

“And where were you at the count? Certainly not supporting James in his hour of darkness.

“I am a Tory to the core and that will never change – are you?” he added.

Mr Wharton lost the seat he held just two years ago with a healthy majority of over 5,000 to Labour’s Dr Paul Williams with a swing of more than five per cent.

Last night Cllr Vickers said: “It would be inappropriate to comment at this time.”

He won the contest to become Tory leader on the council following Ben Houchen’s election as Tees Valley Mayor in May.

Cllr Dennis was unavailable for comment.

A spokesperson for the Stockton Labour Group said: “It isn’t just in Theresa May’s Tory Government that public disagreements, bickering, accusations and jostling for power are apparent.

“Stockton council has a forward looking agenda for our borough despite huge government funding cuts.

“Important decisions need to be made and it is just a shame the Tory group seem intent upon tearing themselves to pieces over self-interests rather being a strong opposition.”