Dozens of Conservative members lodge complaints amid allegations of ‘racism’ at Black Country branch AGM

A number of people who attended the Aldridge Brownhills Conservative Association meeting on Saturday, September 9 walked out in disgust over a series of issues they say took place.

Some members have threatened to quit the party while others are demanding the AGM is re-run.

Tory bosses have written to those who complained saying a review of the meeting is being carried out.

One of the serious allegations made is Asian members, including elected councillors, were allegedly forced to show photo ID before they were allowed into the meeting while their white colleagues were not.

Some also claimed £54,000 allocated for legal costs in the accounts was ‘waived through’ without concerned members being able to debate it.

There was also anger and confusion over an "administrative" error which meant some nominations put forward for officer positions on the association were not accepted.

Others also questioned the decision to hold the meeting at 10am on a Saturday morning whilst deriding the chosen venue – Collingwood Community Centre – as unsuitable.

Members told the Local Democracy Reporting Service they suspected there had been an effort to deter people from attending who may have voted unfavourably on issues or against current officers retaining their roles.

They also claimed there was a desire to stop a "no confidence" vote being called against Aldridge Brownhills MP Wendy Morton.