Aide to MP Margot James resigns Tory whip but insists she is still loyal to party

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, senior constituency case worker for Stourbridge MP Margot James, has stepped down from Dudley Conservatives in the wake of husband Les Jones's resignation from the group he used to lead.

She, like her husband, will now stand as an Independent Conservative.

Miss James was recently appointed by the Prime Minister to a new advisory board of Tory backbenchers, including Jo Johnson, brother of London Mayor Boris, that will try to sharpen the Conservative party political operation for the general election.

Councillor Shakespeare said the Stourbridge MP understood her action and had been 'very supportive'.

Miss James said: "I'm sorry of course – but it's a matter for Karen and it certainly won't influence her work for me at all. She has my full confidence. I understand her reasons but won't comment on them.

"There's no embarrassment over this – there would be if Karen had resigned from the Conservative party, but she hasn't."

Councillor Shakespeare said the 'straw that broke the camel's back' to prompt her decision was current leader Councillor Patrick Harley's calls for Councillor Jones, now an independent Tory, to resign his seat in Pedmore and Stourbridge East, so forcing a by-election.

Councillor Shakespeare, aged 55, who has represented Halesowen North on the council for 13 years, said: "I have been a member of the party for almost 30 years and remain fully supportive of it. I am a loyal Conservative and there is nothing in my decision which will impact on my work with Margot. The majority of members of the group on the council are lovely – really kind – but unfortunately there are just a few that spoil it for the rest.

"It was the straw that broke the camel's back when Patrick called for Les to resign as a councillor, which I think was a knee-jerk reaction."

Councillor Jones, 57, in February stepped down from the helm of the Dudley Council Tory group amid growing tensions in the party after the authority swung to Labour last May.

And last week he revealed he had quit the Tory whip to become an independent. Councillor Shakespeare and Councillor Jones, who live in Foley Road, Pedmore, celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary last week.

She will carry on as Halesowen North councillor until the seat is up for election in 2015 – but would then not stand against a Conservative.

Tory leader, Councillor Harley said: "She's just followed her husband – it would be awkward having one family member taking the whip and another not," he added.

"I'm disappointed to lose two people from the group but it's a decision I think they will both regret in time."

Councillor Jones added: "Margot is sad – but it has no bearing on Karen's job as the MP's senior case worker, which is paid employment, not a voluntary job."