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Councillor leaves Independents amid 'deal' accusation
The Journal
|May 23, 2025
A LONG-SERVING Northumberland county councillor has announced he has left the Independent Group.
Coun Steven Bridgett, who represents the Rothbury division, will sit as a non-affiliated councillor.
Coun Bridgett accused the Independents of making a “deal” with the Conservative group alongside the Greens and Liberal Democrats, although this has been denied by party leaders.
The Tories are the largest party following local elections, but are nine seats short of a majority and just three ahead of Reform UK.
Despite the clear need to work with smaller groups, Conservative leader Coun Glen Sanderson and Independent Group leader Coun Derek Kennedy have denied claims of an official coalition.
Coun Bridgett said: "Unfortunately, I find myself unable to join the Independent Group on Northumberland County Council.
This story is from the May 23, 2025 edition of The Journal.
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