DEWSBURY MP Shahid Malik has criticised the decision of Mirfield mayor Robert Bennett to quit the Tory party.
The Labour MP spoke out after Clr Bennett announced his decision in the furore over anti-Muslim comments he made.
Mr Malik said: “This is an incredible piece of Tory political farce.
“I was pushed on TV to ask for Bob’s resignation but instead I said I thought he and his wife were lovely people and that I accepted his apology.
“The local Conservatives, led by Clr Sibbald, attacked Clr Bennett’s comments and distanced themselves from him. Now he is resigning from the Conservative party but says he supports David Cameron, and in return the Conservatives led by none other than Clr Sibbald defend him and declare a vote of confidence in him as Mayor of Mirfield.
“This is simply unbelievable. Most people will rightly be confused and view this as yet another attempt to hoodwink them in a sad attempt to salvage political credibility for Cameron’s Tories.”