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Wolverhampton councillor suspended by Conservatives over coup allegations

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A councillor has been suspended from Wolverhampton's Conservative party over allegations he was involved in a coup to prevent another Tory candidate from being elected.

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Former Parliamentary candidate Arun Photay was re-elected as councillor for Tettenhall Wightwick in last month's local elections by a majority of 1,033.

But in the same elections the party submitted two candidates for the Tettenhall Regis ward, a move that led to farcical scenes when a split vote almost saw the Tories lose the seat.

Official candidate Udey Singh eventually beat the other Tory nominee Mark Evans by just 75 votes. Party leader Councillor Wendy Thompson initially attributed the dual nomination to an 'administrative error', but a subsequent internal investigation has led to claims of foul play.

Mr Evans, who announced his intention to stand down as a councillor last year, is said to have allowed himself to be put forward as a candidate after being told by Mr Photay that Mr Singh's nomination would be withdrawn.

His form was signed by acting group chairman Andy Randle.

But both nominations were submitted, leaving the party in the unusual position of having two ward candidates. Mr Evans attempted to withdraw his nomination but was not allowed to do so under electoral regulations. He is said to have expressed his anger over the dual nomination.

Mrs Thompson said: "The group has been made aware that there was some involvement by Councillor Photay in the dual nomination."

A source close to the Tory party told the Express & Star: "After the elections an investigation took place to find out exactly why there were two nominations for Regis.

"The party uncovered evidence of a conspiracy to prevent Udey Singh from being elected. The evidence shows that Arun Photay was involved.

"Udey Singh was the candidate that was approved by the panel, so for any other members to be involved in putting forward another candidate is a serious breach of party rules. Arun Photay's actions amount to a serious breach of party regulations."

Mr Photay has been suspended for six months and will be barred from attending group meetings and taking part in the decision making process. He will continue to sit as a Conservative councillor. It marks the latest in a series of embarrassing controversies to hit Wolverhampton's Tory group in recent months.

Mr Photay, who was a Parliamentary candidate for Yardley last year, had initially been de-selected by the Wolverhampton Tory group over claims he had not completed enough work in his ward. But he appealed to the Conservatives' national office and received the backing from influential party fundraisers.

Mr Photay was eventually reinstated following the intervention of party chairman Lord Feldman, who ordered the Wolverhampton group to re-select him as a candidate.

Meanwhile, allegations that a violent incident took place at a Tory party meeting at Wolverhampton's Civic Centre last year are currently going through the courts.

A statement issued by Wolverhampton Conservative group said: "The Conservative group have decided to suspend Councillor Arun Photay of Tettenhall Wightwick for a period of six months after he was found to have broken the rules of the group."

Mr Photay did not respond to the Express & Star's request for a comment.

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