BLACKHEATH Councillor Mary Docker has been unanimously elected as Sandwell Conservative Deputy Leader.

Cllr Docker replaces Cllr Elaine Costigan who made national headlines when she announced her defection to Labour blaming Michael Gove’s axing of the Building Schools for the Future projects.

Cllr Docker has undertaken the role in the past, from 2006 and 2008 and will be second in command to the group leader Councillor Ray Nock.

She said: "I am happy to take on the role. I intend to work closely with Ray Nock to make our impression on Sandwell Council."

However, Cllr Docker offended the old guard of the Tories after branding Cllr Costigan a ‘turncoat’.

She said last week: “We were amazed at her defection because only a few weeks before she was slating Labour Party policies.

“There were rumours but she didn’t even tell us about her defection, we just waited to see what developed and now we know she is a turncoat.

“She has expelled herself from the party and is automatically not a member anymore.”

However, veteran Sandwell Conservative Councillor Bill Archer (and Elaine Costigan’s father), aged 83, further fanned the flames of discord in the Tory party by refuting Cllr Docker’s claim his daughter is a ‘turncoat’.

He said: “Cllr Docker knows very well Elaine was driven away by a minority of Tory councillors who made her feel like an outcast.

“There is no way Elaine is a turncoat, it took a lot of courage to do what she did and she has had supportive emails from across the world.”

He added: “I am not happy at the moment, I am an 83-year-old Conservative who is now pondering his position, I will consider my position over the next month.”