Former Tory group leader quits

The former leader of Slough council's Conservatives Derek Cryer has quit the group - a fortnight after being ousted by Labour defector Pervez Choudhry.

Mr Cryer, elder statesman of Slough Council, resigned this morning as a member of the council's Tory group.

He said: "I have no further statement to make at the moment.

"I remain a conservative at heart and always will be."

Cllr Cryer lost the Tory Group leadership to Labour renegade Cllr Choudhry two weeks ago in a vote at the Slough Conservative Association's annual meeting.

Cllr Cryer and his friend and colleague Cllr Julia Long both refused the job of deputy leader.

Cllr Choudhry defected to the Conservatives last May - 10 days after being elected on a Labour ticket.