A FORMER Labour councillor is refusing to stand down as a ward member after quitting the group in frustration.

Cllr Billy Wells was elected to represent the Newcomen ward in May's council elections but decided to resign from Labour amid claims that he was disappointed and frustrated with the way the group was run.

His decision resulted in the party’s grip on power at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council being loosened, with 28 of the authority’s 59 seats.

In the wake of his resignation council leader Sue Jeffrey wrote to the councillor asking to resign his seat as he had taken advantage of the support of the Labour group during his election campaign.

In the letter, seen by The Northern Echo, she wrote: "I know that it was only after much thought that you decided to stand for Labour in the election.

"At that time you were clearly aware that you would be representing the Labour Party; you made a commitment to implement the Labour Party manifesto; you used leaflets funded and endorsed by the Labour Party; and most importantly you accepted the help, support and friendship of Labour Party members to secure your nomination as a candidate, to act as your agent and to work in your ward to get you elected for Labour.

"Additionally during your time as a member of the group many of your Labour colleagues went out of their way to help and support you.

"On that basis, I am calling on you to do as you said and resign. This will give voters the choice of whether they wish to keep you as their local councillor or whether they would prefer a Labour councillor – which was clearly their decision at the election in May."

However, Cllr Wells, who lost his wife to cancer, is refusing the back down and questions the leader's right to demand that he quits his role.

In response, he said: "You have no right to call on me to resign just because you have lost control of the council. I have spoken to many Newcomen residents who only voted Labour because I was the candidate.

"I did have a discussion with my wife regarding carrying on as councillor and she told me to carry on as the local people wanted me as their representative.

"With regards to a by-election, I am led to believe that this would cost the local authority in the region of £10,000. You have no right to be so wasteful with tax-payers money and I feel it is only an important matter to you because you have lost control.

"Would you find a candidate who knows Newcomen and is as passionate about the area as I am?

"Finally it is six weeks since my wife passed away and you think that I am ready to fight a by-election? I may be down but I am not out and my answer to you is no, I will not stand down."