HAVING steered his party to a increased majority on Canterbury city council, Harry Cragg has been deposed as leader of the Conservative group.

His replacement is Blean Forest councillor John Gilbey, who was voted in as the leader at a meeting on Monday.

Cllr Cragg led the Tories to victory in the city council elections, taking 29 of the 50 seats, an increase of four.

But even on the day of the Tory victory, there was talk among Conservatives that Cllr Cragg might be ousted.

Cllr Gilbey, 65, said: "Discussions had taken place before the election because there were feelings that some of the things that people wanted done were not happening."

Cllr Cragg admitted he was disappointed to have been forced out.

He said: "I am rather sad because I have led the party to its biggest election win for 20 years. But it was a democratic decision and the party is bigger than the individual."

* For the full story and further comment see the Kentish Gazette (Thursday, May 17).