A COUNCILLOR has been kicked out of his political group after secretly joining a rival party.

Daniel Munyambu, who represents Vange ward, signed up to the Conservative party despite joining Basildon’s Independent Labour group, made up of Pat and Phil Rackley, two months ago.

He was elected as a Labour councillor in 2011, but quit the group in October after seeking legal advice.

Mr Munyambu, 40, was suspended from the Labour party nationally more than two years ago as he is facing fraud charges in his native Kenya in connection with a car export business run from his home in Clickett End, Basildon.

He will now serve the rest of his term at Basildon Council as an Independent councillor, after the borough’s Tory group refused to let him stand alongside them.

Mr Munyambu has since resigned his membership with the Conservative party.

Phil Rackley, leader of the Independent Labour group, said: “Our group is not a registered national political party and while Councillor Munyambu is at liberty to join whatever party he chooses, the aims of the Conservative party are clearly diametrically opposed to the aims of the Independent Labour group which are clearly socialist.

“Councillor Munyambu has claimed that his actions were caused by confusion and lack of experience, but in my view his political naivete in joining the Conservatives while being a member of our group is incompatible and we have told the council that he is no longer to be considered to beamember of the group.”

Kevin Blake, deputy Tory leader, added: “I had a private meeting with Councillor Munyambu and he said he wanted to join the Conservative party as he did not want Labour to win the Vange seat.

“Although myself and Pat and Phil Rackley have extremely different political views, we have had a relationship over a number of years and I respect them. I could have kept this to myself and announced it during out next full council meeting, but I didn’t want to do that to them.

“I think this must be the shortest Conservative party membership in our history, Daniel only lasted two or three weeks.”

Mr Munaymbu insists he never formally joined the Independent Labour party, despite signing paperwork to say he had.

He has since contacted Bala Mahendran, chief executive of Basildon Council, and Paul Burkinshaw, group manager, claiming he wined and dined Mr and Mrs Rackley after they misled him into believing they had information he could use in his legal case against the Labour party.

Mr Munyambu said: “We live in a democratic society and I can join whichever political party I chose. I’m not into pettiness, I just want to serve my community.”