A long-standing councillor has left the Conservatives after 60 years saying the "mistake" of removing Boris Johnson has caused major problems for the party.

Cllr Philip Martin described his decision to quit and become an independent councillor in Folkestone and Hythe as "the hardest decision of my life" after a row over selection ahead of May's council elections.

Having joined the Tories in 1963, Cllr Martin has served as a district councillor since 2005, representing the North Downs East ward from 2011.

He is also chairman of Folkestone and Hythe District Council, as well as being Mayor of Hawkinge, and chairman of the town council there.

However, he announced his shock decision to stand down from the Conservatives after becoming "disenchanted" with the national party.

"I've spent all that time with them [the Conservatives], and several people who I came up with have gone on to be MPs," he said.

"I'm Folkestone born and bred, I've always followed the Conservatives because they stood for freedom of choice – but when you're in local government, you do tend to take national issues in.

"Like a lot of people, I've been disenchanted with the present government.

"I think they made a big mistake getting rid of Boris, and we've seen what's happened since then – I didn't think in my lifetime that we'd see three prime ministers in a year."

However, the final nail in the coffin, according to Cllr Martin, came when the local party organised the reselection process for the upcoming local elections in May.

"My main disappointment was that when it came to the selection time, because I was in hospital for an emergency appointment on the day of the meeting, the chairman of the association would not allow me to have an interview for what was my existing seat in Hawkinge," he said.

"They did offer me another seat but I have worked with the people of Hawkinge for so many years, I could not do that.

"I haven't left the Conservatives, they've left me.

"I have chosen to be independent because I could never in a million years vote for Labour or the Lib Dems, or any of the fringe parties."

But Folkestone and Hythe Conservative Association chairman Stephen James has disputed Cllr Martin's claims including saying he failed to send apologies for being unable to attend the selection meeting, which also happened to be branch's annual general meeting for all members.

In a letter Mr James has sent to Cllr Martin, seen by KentOnline, he said: "It was poor form not to send apologies for either, and it was this lack of communication with the association officers and branch officers regarding your unavailability to attend your own selection meeting and branch AGM which has created this situation.

"I note your claims that you were attending a 'medical procedure', which is why you couldn’t participate in the evening meeting.

'I haven't left the Conservatives, they've left me'

"Although this may have been the case during the daytime, it would seem you were well enough to attend The Chairman of Kent County Council’s Black Tie Dinner in Maidstone, your attendance at the social is also a matter of public record, as I double checked with the KCC Chairman’s office who confirmed you attended as well as noting your memorable and colourful formal attire that evening.

"This suggests you had planned to participate in the social all along rather than attend the selection meeting and AGM."

"Despite all this, the association officers went out of their way to assist you in finding a suitable seat to stand. Folkestone Harbour’s selection was reopened, as this is where you requested and it is where you grew up.

"As chairman, I take overall responsibility for running the association.

"I am satisfied that the selection process was conducted fairly and transparently for all candidates and within the rules set by the party.

"These rules create a level playing field for all candidates based on merit and, most notably, the democratic decision of our members who chose their candidates."