Sign up to receive two FREE daily bulletin e-mails, as well as breaking news as it happens Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A Derby councillor has decided to leave the Labour Party because he feels its views and values at national level no longer mirror his own, especially with regards anti-semitism.

Councillor Dom Anderson, who was elected to represent Boulton ward in 2016, will continue to do so as an independent councillor on Derby City Council.

Mr Anderson was loathe to give many details about his decision but indicated that widely-publicised claims of anti-Semetic views in the Labour Party had helped to make up his mind.

He issued an official statement which said: "I took the difficult decision to leave the Labour Party but will continue to represent the people of Boulton as an independent councillor and vote with the values I have always held, in mind."

(Image: Alex Cantrill Jones/ACJ Media)

Speaking to Derbyshire Live earlier today he added: "It was an extremely difficult decision for me and it was the national party's position that has influenced me rather than locally.

"Derby Labour group is doing it's best in a difficult position.

"I found increasingly that I could not ignore and defend what is being said and done nationally, especially the very anti-Semetic views. It's a great shame.

"My values, and the ones I was elected on, have not changed and I feel that this is the best way of serving the people of Boulton."

poll loading Was Councillor Dom Anderson right to quit the Labour Party? 0+ VOTES SO FAR Yes No

Mr Anderson's move to being independent follows a similar decision by former Conservative councillor Sean Marshall last October. He resigned because he did not agree with his party's stance on the controversial Sinfin waste plant.

Although Labour have the largest party on the council, control is held by the Conservatives supported by the UKIP and Lib Dem groups.

Mr Anderson's move leaves the Tories with 19 seats, while Labour still has a majority of 22, Lib Dems remain on five, UKIP has three seats and two independent councillors. Both the independents are due for re-election in 2020.

Council labour group leader Councillor Lisa Eldret said: "I'm disappointed that Dom Anderson has decided to resign from the Labour Party and become an independent councillor for Boulton ward.

"National politics is currently in turmoil and it was inevitable that we would see some fallout from this at local level. I hope that we will continue to work with Dom on issues of common interest and where we have shared values."