City councillor dropped for cousin of ex-MP

HARASSMENT CONVICTION LED TO SUSPENSION FROM TORY PARTY

- JANE HAYNES People & Politics Editor

CONSERVATIVE city councillor Simon Morrall has not been picked by his local branch as their candidate for the 2026 council elections following a harassment conviction.

In his place the Conservative members overseeing the Frankley Great Park ward in Northfield constituency have put their faith in newcomer Tilton Storer, whose father Ron is already a councillor and whose cousin Gary Sambrook was previously the area's MP.

Morrall, whose political status as a Conservative has been the subject of confusing claims and counterclaims, has now claimed he is the victim of nepotism and has pointed the finger at Sambrook as the architect.

Morrall claims he retains the support of Conservative voters in the ward and would win the seat if he stood next May but that Sambrook and allies in the Northfield Conservative Association want him out because he is a 'threat to his authority.