A Conservative councillor has stepped down from the Slough Tories amid “ongoing differences” within the group.

Cllr Rajinder Sandhu was first elected as a Conservative councillor for Upton in 2014 and had previously served as a Labour councillor in the town.

Conservative group leader for Slough Borough Council Wayne Strutton and Lee Pettman, chairman of the Slough Conservative Association, said Cllr Sandhu will sit as an Independent councillor in Upton for the final year of his term.

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They said in a statement: “He should be thanked for his service to residents up until now, regardless of his political colour.

“We request Cllr Sandhu, now he has made his decision, to call a by-election immediately, allowing the people of Upton the opportunity to confirm if they support being represented by an Independent councillor or if they prefer to be represented by a party associated candidate.

“Residents in Upton can rest assured that, no matter what, our dedicated team of Conservative members and activists will continue to work hard for them all year round, holding the Labour council and Labour MP Tan Dhesi to account.”

The decision was made at the AGM of the Conservative group held on May 8.

Speaking to the Observer, Cllr Sandhu said: “There are no differences in policies or the work done, but between personalities in the group.

“I don’t agree with the way they want to work.”

He also said he would complete his term, effectively rejecting the request to call a by-election.

It comes after Labour saw a landslide victory in the elections earlier this month, taking two seats - Upton and Langley St Mary's - from the Conservatives.