North Northamptonshire councillor Matthew Binley now suspended from Kettering Conservative Association over serious historic allegations

Cllr Binley, now sitting as an independent, had been suspended from the executive of North Northants Council (NNC) by Cllr Jason Smithers NNC leader last week.

The authority’s executive member for highways, travel and assets, was immediately suspended on Thursday (January 16) after new details about the historic cases came to light.

As the investigation began into Cllr Binley’s actions he hit back at allegations saying he has been 'open and honest' about his past, backed by a letter of support from party colleagues within the Conservative constituency associations of both Wellingborough & Rushden as well as Kettering.

But the chairman of the Kettering Constituency Conservative Association Cllr Mark Rowley has said they too have now suspended Cllr Binley.

Cllr Rowley said: “While it is true that Cllr Matthew Binley was recommended as a candidate for the Rothwell & Mawsley ward, the Kettering executive committee chose not to select and approve him. At this meeting the executive also decided to suspend Cllr Binley's membership until the investigation is complete.”

Distancing the Kettering Constituency Conservative Association from the letter of support, Cllr Rowley added: “To my knowledge no association officer has made any comments regarding the suspension and will make no further comments until the investigation is complete.”