A COUNCILLOR has quit the Liberal Democrats after becoming disillusioned by party politics and 'poor local leadership.'

Coun Stephen Gregory has split from the group at Durham County and Wear Valley District councils to represent Bishop Auckland as an independent.

He singled out for criticism Wear Valley council's party leader Chris Foote Wood, who faced a larger revolt when 12 of his 28 councillors defected in 1994 and ended the Lib Dems' grasp on power. There are now four Lib Dem councillors at Wear Valley and two at Durham County Council.

Coun Gregory said his former colleague was a good councillor but a 'poor leader.'

He said: "He told me if I stood as a Liberal Democrat he would help me get the town back on its feet and bring back the town council, but I feel they were empty promises."

"I do feel disillusioned. I'm not here for the politics - when they (the party) say jump you have to jump and I don't need it.

"I do feel as if I've let the party down because they've all worked so hard, but all I care about is the people around here and helping the town. I think I'll get on better and get things done more quickly on my own."

Coun Foote Wood hit back at the 'empty criticisms' and accused Coun Gregory of breaking his word after signing a 'moral document' when he joined to stay with the party for four years.

He said: "We introduced the document after 1994. I think it's disgraceful that Coun Gregory can make these promises and break them so easily. His resignation has come as a surprise. I've always been willing to help him and give advice." Leader of Wear Valley District Council, Olive Brown, said his defection brought back memories of 1994 and said it 'took a brave man to cross the floor.'

Coun Nigel Martin, leader of the Liberal Democrats at Durham County Council, said the news was a 'disappointment.'