Two Tory councillors are expelled

David Gillard and Carole Deas were expelled "in the interests of efficiency"

Two Conservative councillors, who were previously suspended, have been expelled from the ruling party group.

Borough of Poole's Conservative Group said Carole Deas and David Gillard had been expelled because they regularly voted against their own party.

Both Ms Deas, of Canford Cliffs Ward, and Mr Gillard, of Oakdale Ward, were elected to their seats on 1 May 03.

Conservative Elaine Atkinson said the final straw came when the pair had voted against the proposed budget.

Ms Atkinson said: "There have been problems with these two councillors for a significant period of time.

"They have refused to recognise the boundaries and rules we set as a political party."

Borough of Poole is a Conservative-led administration with 42 members representing 16 wards.

Prior to the expulsion of the two members, the authority was composed of 25 Conservative members and 17 Liberal Democrat members.