DUDLEY’S Conservative group has been hit by another shock high profile resignation – this time by front bencher Cllr Ken Turner.

The outspoken Hayley Green and Cradley South councillor resigned from the Tory party this morning (Monday December 2) along with his wife hazel, who represents the party in the same ward.

Tory group leader Cllr Patrick Harley confirmed the resignations but would not give details, saying it was a matter for the Halesowen Conservative Association.

Cllr Harley said: “It is tying up loose ends, he has gone before he was pushed, both of them were facing disciplinary action by their association. It has been coming for a while.”

Cllr Harley added he had tried to mediate between the councillors and the association but negotiations had broken down.

He said he would not rush to announce a front bench replacement for Ken Turner, who was the group’s spokesman on regeneration.

The resignations are another blow to the Dudley Tory group which has in recent months seen the loss of Cllr’s Les Jones and Karen Shakespeare after a row within the group and Cllr Ray Burston, who stood down after admitting using a council computer to view pornography.

Both Ken and Hazel Turner say they intend stay on as independent members of the authority.