Southend Tory Group leader resigns and labels colleagues 'savages'

Tony Cox, resigned the Conservative whip along with Darryl Jones, Conservative councillor for Southchurch Ward.

Together they will form the Southend Independent Group.

Reinstated - James Courtenay (Image: James Courtenay)

Mr Cox, who led the council from May 2023 until this year’s local elections, was said to be facing a leadership challenge following recent election defeats.

He said: “Over the last year the group has behaved like savages. It came to a head where they were fighting among themselves between the Southend West and the Southend East councillors. It comes to the point when you say enough. I’m doing this as a whistle blower. The party has to change.”

Before his resignation, Mr Cox is understood to have suspended two Conservative councillors, James Courtenay and Kevin Buck, over allegations of “bullying and bringing the party into disrepute”.

Mr Courtenay has since been reinstated and an inquiry is ongoing into Mr Buck. Mr Courtenay, Conservative councillor for Chalkwell Ward, said “I understand Tony Cox has resigned as group leader as of this morning and I’d just like to place on record my thanks for his twenty years’ service to the group and five years as our group leader and I wish him well in his future endeavours. I’ve been reinstated by the interim leader this morning. My suspension lasted from about 10pm to 8am.”

Mr Buck, Conservative councillor for Prittlewell and former cabinet member for highways, said he believed his suspension would be brief, adding: “The matter is under investigation by the Conservative group leader and is expected to be concluded by the end of the week. I am not able to discuss further.”

Inquiry - Kevin Buck (Image: Southend Council)

The latest drama follows the resignation of Southend east association chairman Gavin Chambers, who stepped down in May after accusing the party of bullying.

Daniel Nelson, Tory councillor for Southchurch Ward has been appointed as interim group leader.

He said: “I can confirm two members of our group have now left us. I want to thank them for everything they’ve done and wish them all the best.

“In terms of what’s being going on in the group, I won’t be commenting on that because that’s an internal matter and ongoing. As interim deputy leader I see it as my role to steer us into unity and I hope the rest of my group will agree.

“It’s a tumultuous time but as always we will see it through.”

A leadership election will be held next week.

Mr Jones was approached to comment.