A county county councillor who was expelled from the Labour Party a year ago has joined the independent group.
Coun Holly Waddell, who represents the Bywell ward on Northumberland County Council, was kicked out of the Labour party last February after being accused of supporting a banned group.
Coun Waddell won the Bywell seat in 2021, winning the seat from the Conservatives, and said she would appeal the decision.
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The Labour Party said the councillor supported Socialist Appeal - an "openly communist" organisation banned under the party's rules. It is understood the party acted after Coun Waddell liked posts on social media related to the group.
At the time Coun Waddell denied being a member of the group and vowed to fight her expulsion. However, 12 months on, she has joined the independent group on Northumberland County Council and claimed she has received no response from Labour on her appeal.
Coun Waddell said: "I was expelled from the Labour Party on February 25 2022. I submitted an appeal immediately and have chased it frequently and as recently as yesterday.
"I have received no response on this from the Labour Party, which is disappointing. Since the date of my expulsion I have been forced to sit as an independent councillor.
"I have recently decided to join the Independent Group on Northumberland County Council. This is a decision I made in order to best represent the people who elected me.
"I found working as an ungrouped member on the council difficult. Due to proportionality, committee places are allocated to members based on the percentage of the council their group make up. Outside of a political party or a group I had no access to committee places, and missed out on group briefings offered to the groups on the council.
"The independent group have been welcoming to me. They are supportive that I continue my appeal within the Labour Party. I feel this was the best decision for the residents of Bywell ward at this time."
The Local Democracy Reporting Service has contacted Labour North for a response on the issue, but the party said it does not comment on individual cases.
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