West Northamptonshire Council leadership candidate vows to defend his integrity 'whatever the allegations are'

The councillor who was suspended from the Conservative party on the eve of the leadership election for West Northamptonshire Council said he will “vigorously defend” himself against complaints made against him.

Councillor Ian McCord was suspended at 6pm on Tuesday (May 11) with the leadership election taking place last night (May 12).

Cllr Jonathan Nunn was elected as the leader of the Conservative group on the new unitary authority with Cllr McCord in second place.

An investigation is currently under way following complaints raised about councillor McCord. It is being carried out by an independent number of people outside of the South Northants Conservation Association and can take up to eight weeks to complete under party rules.

Councillor McCord said he does not know what the complaints made against him are.

He said: “I will defend my integrity and whatever the allegations I will vigorously defend myself.

“I do not believe I have done anything, or I cannot think of one single thing that I have said or not said, that would constitute this level of reaction.

“I do not know what the allegations are.”

Councillor Andre Gonzalez de Savage, who was chosen at last night’s group meeting as vice chairman, said: “The investigation is under way.

“It is being carried out by an independent number of people outside of the association under party rules.

“Cllr McCord has been suspended from the party pending an investigation. All sides have details.”

Cllr Gonzalez de Savage said he expected the investigation to be completed within eight weeks which is party protocol.

The first meeting of West Northamptonshire Council is due to take place on Thursday (May 20) at Northampton Saints’ Franklin’s Gardens stadium when the new leader of the council will be elected.