Outspoken councillor suspended by UKIP

SUSPENDED... Councillor Warren Bates told by UKIP that he can no longer represent them.

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CONTROVERSIAL Failsworth councillor Warren Bates has been suspended by UKIP over his public criticism of the party but he says he is being made a “scapegoat” for poor election results.

The outspoken Councillor Bates ­— who will now be an independent councillor for Failsworth West ­— is understood to have been suspended for comments he made to the Evening Chronicle about UKIP.

Urgent

Last month Councillor Bates accused UKIP of being “out of touch with local politics” and he made the headlines in March when he parked in a disabled bay because he was late for a council meeting at Oldham Civic Centre ­— and his urgent need for the loo had left him “temporarily disabled”.

Councillor Bates received an email from UKIP officials on May 6 ­— the day after the local elections ­— informing him that he had been suspended after his “recent public criticism of UKIP in the Oldham press”, followed by complaints from five members of the party’s Oldham branch.

UKIP failed to gain any seats in Oldham during last week’s council elections and a shocked councillor Bates says he has been made a scapegoat.

He said: “I’m shocked with what they have done to me. I think it is dirty and nasty. But this was not an Oldham branch decision, they are wonderful people. I have been used as a scapegoat by five people who, I think, probably stood as candidates. They seem to think that what I said stopped them from being elected.

“I think I have had a raw deal and I don’t believe that what I have said had any impact on UKIP’s campaign in Oldham.

“I joined that party as a party of hope but it turns out it is just a party of hopelessness. They say they have no whip, which I love, but you can’t go out and express yourself.

“There has been interfering in branch decisions by officers who are out of touch with local politics. I represent the people of Failsworth West.

“These officers don’t understand this ward. I have stood six times, I know it, I know the people.”

The rule Councillor Bates is said to have breached, states: “When making public statements which are at variance with party policy, officials must make it clear that they are giving a personal view.

“Any such statements must be made in a constructive manner and not harm the image of the party or risk bringing the party into disrepute.”

Councillor Bates is no longer allowed to sit as a UKIP councillor, pending an appeal, but insists he will still to fight for the people of Failsworth West.

He added: “I will still be fighting, as an independent councillor, in the council chamber, in the streets, on the doorsteps. I will be representing my people in Failsworth West.”

A UKIP spokesman said it would not be appropriate to comment.