THE row over a Tory councillor and his council tax payments could mean the Tories losing control of Bexley Council.

Graham Holland, the Conservative councillor for Lamorbey ward in Sidcup, was suspended last week from membership of the Old Bexley and Sidcup Conservative Association.

The chairman of the association, Mike Crouch, also stood down at the same meeting.

Cllr Holland's suspension by the association's executive follows a bitter row within the Sidcup Tories about his de-selection as a councillor for the new Sidcup Central ward in this May's borough elections.

But it means the Tories' majority of two on the council has been wiped out if, as indicated, Cllr Holland decides to vote during his suspension, with the opposition parties.

Labour group leader Councillor Chris Ball said in many cases it would mean Tories would have to rely on the casting vote of the chairman to get their recommendations through.

Cllr Mike Slaughter, the Tory leader, said Cllr Holland would remain part of the Tory Group on the council despite his suspension and would be expected to take the Tory whip. He did not anticipate the group would discuss the issue in the near future and said the only thing which would alter Cllr Holland's position was if he resigned the whip himself.

With the reorganisation of ward boundaries, part of Cllr Holland's Lamorbey ward has become Sidcup Central ward.

Last October, Cllr Holland was one of three candidates selected to stand for the new ward for the Tories in the May elections.

Two days later, he was deselected by the association because, on numerous occasions in the past, he had not paid his council tax on time.

Cllr Holland now has a petition signed by 52 paid-up association members, demanding an extraordinary meeting of the association, at which he hopes his de-selection will be overturned.

But Mr Crouch has cast doubt on whether the petition can be heard since Cllr Holland is technically no longer a member of the association.

Sidcup Central ward, whose chairman Gerry McBride was voted in as the association's new chairman, will hold a fresh selection meeting tonight (Wednesday) to fill Cllr Holland's place for the May election.

The ward then holds its annual meeting this Friday from which Cllr Holland is now barred when members will be asked to endorse the three candidates who will stand in May.