Tories face hearing over allegations

A DISCLIPINARY hearing is to be held to decide the fate of two leading Tories who were removed from office after serious allegations were made against them.

Councillor Carl Francis-Pester was removed from his role as president of North Somerset Conservative Association along with chairman, Chris Allcock, earlier this month after concerns were raised about how the association was being run.

The allegations against the pair, both leading lights within the party, were made last year and an investigation into the claims has been carried out over the last few months.

It is understood the allegations relate to the purchase of a minibus for the association and the use of an office at the association’s headquarters at Nailsea High Street.

It still hasn’t been revealed who made the complaints against the pair.

Now Tory party bosses have revealed a party disciplinary committee will look into the allegations.

An interim chairman has been appointed to run the association until its annual general meeting on March 25 where the results of the investigation will be revealed.

If both Mr Francis-Pester and Mr Allcock are cleared of any wrongdoing by the committee, they will be able to stand again for the posts of president and chairman at the AGM.

If they are found to have done anything wrong, it is likely further action will be taken against them.

Mr Francis-Pester was also removed as a potential Conservative candidate for the North Somerset Council elections in May as a result of the investigation.

This sparked an outcry from fellow Tories and, it is understood, threats to leave the party. After this, Mr Francis-Pester’s name was reinstated on the list of preferred candidates to be presented at the AGM.

Both Mr Francis-Pester, who has represented Easton-in-Gordano on North Somerset Council for the last six years and is also a Clevedon Town councillor and Mr Allcock, a farmer from Pill, have been involved with the association for more than 20 years.

Both deny any wrongdoing and Mr Francis-Pester said he was still planning to stand in the local elections.