Ten Ashfield Independent councillors quit after leader's fraud conviction

Ten Ashfield Independent councillors have quit the party this week following the former leader's fraud conviction.

He resigned as leader of Ashfield District Council the following day, but was later given a seat on the authority's planning committee .

As of Thursday, 13 councillors are sitting as non-aligned independents, while 18 Ashfield Independents remain, meaning the party is one councillor away from losing its majority.

Zadrozny was accused of setting up a fake heritage group to defraud Nottinghamshire County Council out of thousands of pounds.

Prosecutors also alleged that he had failed to pay tax on four rental properties.

The 46-year-old, who served as an Ashfield Independents councillor on the county council, was told by the judge he would be sentenced on 27 November, and was "at risk of an immediate custodial sentence".

Councillors Warren Nuttall and Kier Barsby had quit the Ashfield Independents group prior to this week.

One of the 10 members to quit this week is John Wilmott, a cabinet member who is also a Nottinghamshire county councillor for Hucknall North.

Another is the chairman of the council, Dale Grounds.

Councillor Matt Relf, executive lead member for growth, regeneration and local planning, said quitting the party was an "enormously upsetting" decision.

"The understandable controversy around Jason's conviction and the choices he made that led to that have upset and surprised a lot of people in the group," he said.

"With the election of a new leader we hoped that would put everything behind us, but unfortunately the decision to appoint Jason back on to the planning committee was just a step too far.

"That decision was made with no consultation with the broader group.

"To stay true to our principles of integrity and democratic accountability I was left with no option but to leave, and I think others have reached the same conclusion."

Hucknall Central councillor Lee Waters, who was another one of the councillors to quit this week, said his decision "follows a period of reflection, and I believe the time is right to move on".

"Throughout my time as a councillor, my priority has been to listen to residents, address their concerns and work hard on the issues that matter to our community. That remains unchanged," he added.

"I will continue carrying out my council responsibilities and dealing with ongoing casework with the same commitment and dedication as always."

Lee Anderson, the MP for Ashfield, posted on Facebook to warn that former Ashfield Independent councillors would not be accepted into Reform UK.

He said there would be "no deals" between the parties.

Samantha Deakin has taken over as leader of the council, but has so far declined the BBC's request for an interview.

A demonstration was held outside the council house on Thursday in protest at Zadrozny being able to remain as a council.

Protesters told the BBC they had been "let down" by the authority.

John Green, of the Ashfield Community Action Group, said: "We are disgusted that the Ashfield Independents have voted a convicted fraudster onto the planning a committee."

Tim Curtis, who also attended the demonstration, said: "There's no mechanism to get him out. He should stand down from the council and not be anywhere near making any decisions."

Fiona Fillingham, a local business owner, added: "If I got done for fraud I am sure I wouldn't get my job back.

"It seems backhanded, shoddy, unfair and unrealistic. They can't keep getting away with it."

The councillors who have quit the Ashfield Independents are:

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