A TORY district councillor has defected to UKIP after becoming ‘thoroughly disillusioned’ with the policies of the Conservatives.

Former Stowmarket mayor, Frank Whittle, will stand for re-election in 2015 as a member of the UK Independence Party.

The Mid Suffolk district and Stowmarket town councillor said: “I am sick and tired of all the political correctness and of politicians who are all mouth and no action.

“I am known for speaking my mind and this has meant that I have become persona non grata with the local Conservative Party. I am very much looking forward to being a part of UKIP, a party that puts Britain first and which isn’t afraid to speak out on the controversial issues of the day.”

He said he was “very disillusioned” with the national leadership of the Conservatives.

A publican and hotelier for most of his career, Mr Whittle has served as a councillor in Stowmarket for more than 10 years.

During this time he has served on the licensing and planning committees.

Andrew Speed, chairman of the Bury St Edmunds Conservative Association, said: “We are disappointed that Frank has felt the need to move to UKIP but we maintain a healthy majority on the district council.

“We expect that once the national policy on Europe has been defined he may well return at which point we would welcome him back with open arms.”

East of England UKIP MEP Stuart Agnew said: “I am delighted to welcome councillor Whittle on board.

“He brings a wealth of local government experience and will be a major asset to our party when we fight elections in the future. I look forward to working with him.”