Conservative chiefs have remained tight-lipped over why three district politicians were suspended from the group in April as part of a mystery investigation.

Councillors Roger Reed, Jacquetta Lowen-Cooper and Barry Harding were told to step aside from the Conservative group which sits on South Bucks District Council (SBDC), pending investigation.

This week SBDC confirmed that an investigation is ongoing and it is “understood” that the councillors have been kept fully informed throughout the process.

However no more information has been provided by the council or the Conservative group regarding the reasons for the councillors’ suspension.

The councillors are still members of SBDC – however they have been excluded from meetings held by the Conservative group.

In April ‘twin-hat’ councillors, including Cllr reed, stormed out of a district council meeting after receiving an email which suggested those who supported plans for a ‘super council’ in Bucks were not allowed to take part in a major debate.

However it is not clear if the suspensions are related to unitary discussions.