Investigation launched as Burnley Conservative group suspends two members

The Burnley Conservative group has suspended its two members of the coalition cabinet that runs the borough.
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Burnley’s housing and leisure boss Coun. Ivor Emo and its community and environmental services chief Coun. Cosima Towneley are now facing an investigation.

The two Cliviger with Worsthorne representatives remain on the council’s Executive after coalition leader Coun. Charlie Briggs refused a request from Tory group leader and former UKIP and Brexit Party member Coun. Alan Hosker to remove them.

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The move is the latest in a series of rows and suspensions to hit Burnley’s Conservatives.

Burnley Council's housing and leisure boss and its community and environmental services chief are facing an investigationBurnley Council's housing and leisure boss and its community and environmental services chief are facing an investigation
Burnley Council's housing and leisure boss and its community and environmental services chief are facing an investigation

In May then group leader Coun. Andrew Newhouse, also a Cliviger with Worsthorne councillor, was suspended and deposed from his position.

Coun. Hosker was then elected leader in June. No explanation was ever given for Coun. Newhouse’s suspension and subsequent reinstatement.

Coun. Mark Townsend, leader of Burnley Council’s Labour opposition group, said: “This is just symptomatic of two things.

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“One is the shambolic nature of the coalition of chaos that has been running the council for the last 15 months.

“The second is that members of the former UKIP and Brexit parties have taken over the borough’s Tories.”

Burnley Council is currently run by a coalition of the Burnley and Padiham Independent Party, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives with the support of two Green councillors after Labour lost control in May last year and no single group had a majority.

Coun. Emo said: “Cosima and I have been suspended by the group. I cannot get my head around why.

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“We have done nothing wrong. We have not got against policy or brought the into disrepute.

“Coun Hosker asked for us to be removed from the executive but Coun. Briggs refused as is his right as leader.

“There is a council and a borough to run. We can say more when the investigation is over.”

Coun. Towneley said: “I am afraid this is an internal party matter and I have nothing more to say.”

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Coun. Hosker said: “I have no comment at the moment. It’s an investigation that’s all.”

Coun. Briggs, a member of the Burnley and Padiham Independent Party, declined to comment.

Coun. Hosker and fellow Hapton with Park ward Brexit Party councillors Tom Commis and Peter Gill defected to the Conservative Party in January increasing the size of its group on Burnley Council from four to seven.

In December’s General Election Burnley returned Antony Higginbotham as the borough’s first Tory MP in more a century.

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