The Tory leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) has won the battle to keep his position as head of the authority.

Cllr Alan McDermott was reelected by fellow Conservatives in the local party's annual general meeting (AGM) last night.

The ward councillor for Brenchley and Horsmonden fought off competition at the virtual gathering from Pembury's Cllr Paul Barrington-King, also a county councillor.

The vote came after cracks began to show in the party and opposition councillors called for the leader to step down.

Speaking after his win, Cllr McDermott said: "I am delighted to have won. Unfortunately we have had situations where the group as a whole has never really worked well together. There have always been people who think they should be leader rather than me and some of those big issues are still there but hopefully this will now make us stronger."

The enthusiasm has not been shared by all as Cllr David Hayward from the Tunbridge Wells Alliance Group who previously threatened a vote of no confidence, said he feels the Tories have put the parties interests before the the people of Tunbridge Wells.

He added that now Cllr McDermott has been reelected, the alliance, a group of four independent councillors, will push forward with its plans for a vote of no confidence at the next full council meeting Wednesday, September 23.

In response to the news, Cllr McDermott said he hopes the Conservative group will all come together to get the motion thrown out.

Read more: All the latest news from Tunbridge Wells