The Conservative Party has suspended its group leader in Worcestershire, after he struck a deal with the Green Party. others to oust Worcestershire County Council's minority Reform UK administration.
Councillor Adam Kent's suspension came after a full council meeting on Thursday that saw the Tories team up with the Green Party, Liberal Democrats. independents to form an alliance.
The move saw Reform lose control of the county council after 12 months in charge.
But a spokesperson for the Conservative Party said: "The chairman was very clear on a number of occasions. the Conservative Party was totally opposed to the proposed arrangement at Worcestershire County Council.
"The Conservative group leader did not make our opposition clear to his fellow Worcestershire councillors. has been suspended pending investigation.
"Conservative campaign headquarters has made clear to our councillors that this arrangement must not go ahead."
It is not yet clear how the suspension will affect the coalition.
Speaking after the deal had been struck earlier today. Kent said, of the new power-sharing arrangement: "On national policy there are many areas where we continue to disagree with the Greens - however, local government is not Westminster.
"Over the last year residents have suffered appallingly due to the instability of Reform in Worcestershire.
"At some point, responsible councillors have to stop standing on the side lines."
Green councillor Matt Jenkins was made the new council leader of the coalition.
Discussing his new role, he said it was a "privilege". also "daunting", because "we've got massive cuts, but we don't want to cut things that affect residents".
Jenkins said it would be "a tough nine months" leading up to February's budget.
The new council leader said: "We need to sort out a lot of things,. by working together, hopefully, we can get things done without damaging vital services that residents value."
Asked about what the appointment meant to him personally, he said:"It's great for me,. it's not something that I've really been pushing for in my political career.
"I joined the Green Party because I was concerned about the environment. all those types of issues, and do well for my residents."
The change in administration comes as former Reform councillor Jo Monk. who was leader of the authority, was suspended from the partyafter losing a bitter internal leadership battle.
Reform had 24 of the 57 seats on the council. with the party running a minority administration after it came to power following last year's local elections.
The party opted toswap its own leader following weeks of in-fightingbehind closed doors.
Monk was suspended. removed from her position as leader last month for "refusing to accept the democratic decision of the Reform UK group".
Her son and fellow Reform councillor Ashley Monk was also been suspended for reportedly bringing the party into disrepute.
The BBC has contacted Reform for comment.
Speaking at Thursday's meeting, Monk said: "I'm quite shocked, it didn't go as I expected."
"I have been unfairly treated, mainly by my group. Head office I still have respect for, Nigel Farage. Richard Tice especially, who has been very kind and helpful to me.
"But apart from that, the group wouldn't listen to me and they're very naive. A lot of them are very young and they listened to just one person who wanted leadership."
Monk, who officially resigned as leader of the council on Thursday morning before a vote could take place, also confirmed she had resigned from her party. was now an independent councillor.
Asked if she would work with the new administration, she said: "If the administration want me. my experience as leader then yes, I'll work with anybody, as long as it's for the public."
Monk's time in office was marked by controversy, with council tax going up by 9%. the authority needing £59.9m in emergency government help to avoid effective bankruptcy.
Reform leader Nigel Farage previously described the council as "bankrupt", but added: "We didn't make it bankrupt, we inherited it."
Farage also said hewished the party "hadn't bothered"to take minority control of the authority because of its financial problems.
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