A CONSERVATIVE councillor has been suspended by his party as it launches an investigation into "financial irregularities".

Andrew Sherris, who represents Yarm on Stockton Borough Council, had already been deselected by his party and was planning on standing as an independent candidate in May.

Cllr Sherris said the move was an attempt to discredit him ahead of the elections, and said he had endured "numerous examples of very unpleasant behaviour" from the Conservatives.

A spokeswoman for Stockton Council said the issue was a party political one and the council was not involved.

Ben Houchen, chairman of Stockton Conservative Association and leader of the Conservative Group on Stockton Borough Council, released a statement today (Monday, March 2) saying he had suspended Cllr Sherris from the Conservative Group pending "an investigation into a number of concerns raised about financial irregularities and other recent behaviour".

He said: "Should it be found that these concerns have a basis in fact, they demonstrate behaviour below the standard expected of an elected Conservative councillor and I would not be acting in the best interests of residents not to take action. I am unable to comment further at this point due to the ongoing investigation."

He said Stockton Council had been informed of the suspension.

Cllr Sherris called the move an "unjustified attack".

"Many people have been aware of my future intentions and this is yet another attempt to discredit me ahead of the elections," he said.

"Whilst I have many friends in the Conservative Group things have been made very difficult for me since my deselection by a handful of local members last year. I have been a Conservative member for the best part of 40 years but over recent years I have witnessed many examples of behaviour that I cannot agree with.

"It would seem that anyone who openly challenges both the Government and our MP faces this sort of retribution."

He said his support of fellow former Conservative councillor Mark Chatburn, who defected to Ukip, had "not been well received".

"I have worked hard for Yarm and Kirklevington ward without any credit shown to me by the local Conservatives. Indeed, things that I achieve are usually attributed to others," he added.

"It would now seem an opportune time for me to announce that I will be standing as an independent councillor in the coming elections in May, putting local people first, as always, ahead of party politics."

Cllr Chatburn said: "I have worked closely with Cllr Sherris over the past four years and experience has proved he is a man of utmost integrity. This appears to be an unpleasant smear campaign ahead of the local elections in May such as I was subject to following my resignation from the Conservative Party a couple of years ago."