An outspoken politician who branded the Conservatives a “disgrace” less than a year ago, has been backed by the district council leader after he controversially defected to the party with a fellow independent this week.

Risborough councillors Gary Hall and Alan Turner joined the Tories just eight months after they were voted for as independents.

The unexpected move has been welcomed by fellow Tory and Wycombe District Council leader Cllr Katrina Wood and comes after Cllr Hall berated the Conservatives in a series of tweets on February 28 2015.

He said: “If you had any doubts that politics has no place in local government look no further than Wycombe Tories, they are a disgrace.

“As Buckinghamshire changes all around them at fast pace and AVDC looking at going unitary, Wycombe Tories prefer to do nothing, dangerous.

“There are dozens of really good decent cllrs among Wycombe Tories, all of whom should stand as Independents so they can speak their minds.

“Party political cllrs are whipped and it's all wrong, they should do what's right for local people, not what's best for their chosen party.”

When asked about the tweets, Cllr Wood replied: “From my point of view, his views have changed. He likes what we are doing.”

She added: “Both Gary and Alan are excellent local councillors who work very hard. Becoming a Conservative won’t change the way they represent the local people.

“I’m confident that the move will be a success and I think it is testament to the good work that the party is doing.”

The vast majority of WDC councillors (49 of 60) now represent the Conservatives, with six Labour councillors, three East Wycombe Independents and one Lib Dem and one UKIP councillor making up the opposition.

Cllr Turner - whose Twitter biography reads “Independent Cllr and proud of it. Keep party politics out of Local Government” - defended his decision to join the Conservatives.

Bucks Free Press:

“I feel that now is the right time to join,” he said. “I’m Conservative at heart and the current leadership team are doing a very, very good job.

“With the way that the dynamics are changing I felt it was essential to be at the centre of the process.

“The timing may seem a bit of a surprise for some people but things have moved on very quickly since then [the last election].

“Six months ago I had no idea that I would be deciding to join the Conservatives.

“I am looking forward to working with my new colleagues for the benefit of the district as a whole, not just Princes Risborough.”

Responding to the view in his Twitter biography, Cllr Turner said: “That view still applied to town councils like Prince Risborough – but at district level it is a different kettle of fish.

“I hope local people will understand my decision but only time will tell.”

Cllr Hall was unavailable for comment.