WEST Thurrock and South Stifford ward councillor Qaisar Abbas has announced he is joining the Conservative group on Thurrock Council and hopes to stand for them in the local elections in May.

Cllr Abbas, the only Muslim member on the council, was deselected by the Labour group at a candidates selection meeting last weekend.

Cllr Abbas told Nub News it had been his hope and wish to continue to represent Labour in the ward, which is why he stood for reselection.

Nub News understand he lost a vote of ward panel selection members by five votes to three, having - he says - been told by the Labour group his tenure would be unopposed.

Cllr Abbas told Nub News he did not understand or was given reasons why he was opposed in the ward selection meeting but the Conservative group has issued a statement saying it was because of discrimination, nepotism, Islamaphobia and bullying

"I am very disappointed with the decision but I wish to go on serving the local community of West Thurrock and the local Muslim community," Cllr Abbas told Nub News.

"I have spent several days thinking about this and consulting with many members of the local community including Muslim groups who are as disappointed with this decision as I am.

"I have considered my options which included standing as an independent candidate but I believe my position is best served by joining the Conservative group."

Cllr Abbas was elected in the ward for Labour in 2018.

His defection to the Conservative ranks means he follows former Labour member Abbie Akinbohun in switching allegiance during a term of office and he joins a ruling group which now has 30 members.

Cllrs Abbas and Akinbohun will sit in the Tory group alongside councillors Allen Mayes and Shane Ralph representing a group on whose ticket they were not elected.

The Conservatives have welcomed Cllr Abbas to their ranks and issued the following statement: "Cllr Qaisar Abbas said I am left with no choice except to resign from the Labour Party. Thurrock Labour is riddled with bullying, discrimination, islamophobia and nepotism.

"I will continue to fight for and protect the best interests of residents of Purfleet-on-Thames, West Thurrock and South Stifford and wider communities I have worked with over the years as a Conservative councillor."

Conservative Council Leader, Cllr Rob Gledhill said: "This is great news for the Conservative Group and indeed for the residents of West Thurrock and South Stifford.

"Qaisar is well known as a hard working councillor for his residents and I know he will do all he can to retain his seat in May and continue that fantastic work.

"I believe Qaisar joining the group is a further endorsement of the work we are doing locally. We cannot risk Thurrock's future by allowing Labour back into power.

"There are some very serious allegations made by Cllr Abbas and I hope the National Labour party will mount a full investigation into Thurrock Labour."

Labour group leader Cllr John Kent told Nub News: "Last weekend, Thurrock Labour Party selected their candidates for the local elections this May.

"Cllr Qaisar Abbas stood for re-selection but was not selected by party members. It is therefore surprising to see that someone who only last week wanted to re-stand as a Labour Councillor join the Conservative Party that is doing so much damage to Thurrock and to this country.

"Labour has every confidence in the candidate selected who will a bring fresh drive and commitment to the hardworking Labour team in Purfleet-on-Thames – West Thurrock and South Stifford.

"Thurrock Conservative Group is now more a resting place for lazy and mediocre local councillors trying to save their skins, than a political group!

"Qaisar has joined a group that has racked up £1.5 billion of debts with dodgy deals and failed investments, and led Thurrock Council to the brink of bankruptcy, while axing vital frontline services".