Second Crawley Councillor Quits Labour Party

A second Crawley councillor has resigned from the Labour Party – leaving the Conservatives with the most seats on the borough council.

Rory Fiveash, who represents Bewbush and North Broadfield, announced his decision today (July 1).

The news comes less than a day after his mother and fellow councillor, Karen Sudan, quit the party following allegations of anti-Semitism.

Mr Fiveash said he had been ‘under investigation’ by the party for more than a year over three emails he had sent, one of which shared his concerns about the selection process for the 2019 elections.

He said that in another email he had made ‘an ironic reference to mansplaining’.

Mr Fiveash said ‘gossip’ had been circulating about the investigation ‘with many different stories being spun about the nature of it’.

He added:

“This is the reality of the party’s complaints system – investigations are launched and left to sit for years while good people have their names dragged through the mud locally.”

Mr Fiveash said he had warned the party three months ago that he would quit unless the matter was cleared up but – aside from some initial platitudes – had heard nothing.

He said:

“A great amount of time, energy and stress have gone into trying to clear this matter up.

“I need that energy to work for the people I represent.

“They are among the most vulnerable in our town and they always pay the highest price in a crisis.

“They need and deserve my full attention now. In order to give my best to them I have, with huge reluctance, decided to resign from the Labour Party.”