Spain-based former Conservative sets up own council group

Chris Greaves, the former highly respected chairman of West Yorkshire transport body Metro is to form the Independents with Adrian Naylor, a much-praised former cabinet member who attempted to regenerate the city before being sacked.

Coun Naylor was not re- selected by his association to represent Craven and after it chose another candidate he decided to resign the whip and become an Independent. He is due to fight the seat at the forthcoming May elections.

Coun Greaves had also fallen out with party bosses amid a row last year over an allegedly forged signature.

He has also courted controversy in recent weeks by selling his home in Menston and buying a retirement home in the south of Spain. Recently Coun Glenn Miller, the leader of the Conservative group on Bradford Council, posed a question to the authority’s leader, Ian Greenwood, about the appropriateness of councillors living in Spain while representing their wards.

Coun Greaves, 61, defended his conduct saying he would still remain a councillor for the Wharfedale ward, would still be attending Bradford Council meetings and was considering whether to purchase a pied-a-terre in the West Yorkshire area.

Speaking from Menston, he confirmed that the new group will be called the Independents.

Coun Greaves added: “We have chosen the name Independents as we are aware that there are a number of individuals who may wish to join the group which will be democratic and open and where there will be no bullying.”

[email protected]