A BNP councillor and two Independents now hold the balance of power at Thurrock Council after the leader sensationally quit the Tories to team up with Labour.

Former leader Terry Hipsey’s decision to cross the floor leaves the Conservative and Labour parties with 23 councillors each on the council.

The Tories managed to cling on to power after a motion to elect deputy leader Garry Hague as the new leader was backed by the sole BNP member Emma Colgate, councillor for Tilbury.

Mr Hague said: “Becoming leader is a great honour and one I will endeavour to carry out to the best of my abilities and for the benefit of all of the borough’s residents.

“I will continue to work hard with my colleagues in the administration, other members of the council and with officers, at all levels, to ensure we do our very best for our residents.

“There can be no doubt the council is facing challenging times, but we have strong foundations and I welcome the opportunities these challenges bring.

“Building a strong team spirit throughout the council to move Thurrock forward, and seeking the right permanent chief executive will be my immediate priorities.”

Both Independent members, Barry Palmer and John Purkiss, both East Tilbury councillors, abstained from the vote on Wednesday night.

Mr Palmer said: “We are in a strong position now, but it doesn’t make a difference to our thinking and the way forward.

“We’ve always acted in the best interests of the people and we will continue to do so. I know we’ve been accused of cosying up to the Tories in the past, but just look at the record, a number of times we voted against them with Labour.

“We are Independent and the emphasis is on independent.

Meanwhile, Carl Morris, the chairman of the Labour group, has ridiculed the Tories for staying in power thanks to the BNP.

He said: “It was an astonishing spectacle to see Tory councillors applaud so enthusiastically clinging on to office with the vote of the BNP.”

John Cowell, Tory councillor for Aveley, added: “The group isn’t concerned. We don’t support BNP policies, but I find Emma Colgate doesn’t often bring BNP politics into the chamber.”

BNP councillor Emma Colgate was unavailable for comment.