Braintree Council leader Graham Butland has denied a rift in the Braintree Constituency Conservative Party Association after he sacked his deputy.

Chris Siddall, Tory councillor for Three Colnes, was removed from his cabinet post as deputy council leader and member for prosperity and growth on Monday.

However, he will remain deputy leader of the Conservative group on the council.

A week earlier, he had attempted to be selected as a Conservative candidate for next May’s General Election but was blocked by party headquarters on the grounds that he needed to pass a central party assessment board.

Mr Butland said: “It just suits both parties. I can make changes and I have made changes to the cabinet on a number of occasions.

“Chris and I had a conversation and as a result of that conversation we have made some changes."

Mr Siddall said: “Families often argue at Christmas and we had a disagreement that was not resolved and that was Graham’s decision."

See this week's Times for the full story.