AN independent candidate in next month's local council elections has been barred from Honley Liberal Club for 10 years.
Peter Searby has been told to stay away after two written complaints against him.
The reasons for the ban have not been publicly disclosed.
But an independent ally claimed Mr Searby was a victim of "dirty tactics" ahead of polling day.
Mr Searby, a councillor on Holme Valley Parish Council, was a Liberal Democrat for many years. But he ditched the party in February last year and became an independent.
Now he is hoping to represent Holme Valley North on Kirklees Council after the May 4 elections.
Mr Searby said he had already quit the club before he was barred.
"I resigned from the club and then two days later I received a letter to say I'd been barred for 10 years.
"I resigned because I wasn't happy with the way it was being run. I have been a member since I was 16 and I resigned because I didn't like the way things carried on."
Asked whether he thought a dirty tricks campaign was being waged, he said: "I don't know, I've no idea. The club won't comment and I really don't want to comment because I don't know anything."
However, Kirklees independent councillor for Holme Valley North, Terry Lyons, suspected it was part of a smear campaign.
He said: "It's out to try and pull the rug from under Peter Searby, that's how I see it."
Asked if he thought there were dirty tactics at work close to the election he said: "It does seem strange doesn't it?"
A spokesman for Honley Liberal Club said they couldn't "confirm or deny" any of the allegations.
