HALESOWEN councillor Ken Turner has confirmed he and his wife have resigned from the Conservative Party on Dudley Council and will fight future polls as independents.

The Hayley Green and Cradley South husband and wife team handed in their resignations this morning (Monday).

Cllr Ken Turner told the News: "Both Hazel and I resigned this morning. We will both continue as councillors for Hayley Green and Cradley South, I will fight the 2015 election as an independent and then Hazel will fight the 2016 election as an independent.

"Solicitors are looking into this matter and say I have a bona fide case so I can not discuss the details."

Cllr Turner first campaigned for the Conservative Party in 1968 when he worked on the campaign of Halesowen MP Sir John Stokes.

He said: "I have had some great times in the Conservative Party but those were the good old days, it is totally different now."

"I feel sorry for the Conservatives as they have lost their way."

He added: "I will continue to work for the people of Hayley Green and Cradley South and have said many times before that local politics is too party political when we should all be fighting for the good of Dudley borough. "

Cllr Turner was  Conservative spokesman for regeneration and said he will miss that role.

He said: "I have enjoyed my regeneration role and have enjoyed working with councillors Pete Lowe and Judie Foster concerning regeneration but Hazel and I will continue to fight for free parking across the borough because it s is vital for local businesses."

The bad blood between the Turners and other Halesowen Conservatives is believed to have reached boiling point over the selection of the replacement for Hayley Green and Cradley South councillor Ray Burston who will not fight next year's local elections after being caught accessing pornography on his works computer.

On Friday, the Halesowen and Rowley Regis Conservative Association was due to discuss a motion to suspend Cllr Ken Turner for six months due to him causing "disruption" in the party.

Cllr Ken Turner was first elected to Dudley Council in 2002 and Hazel in 2003.