Councillor Patricia Knight has quit the Conservative Party to return to the ruling Labour Party on Croydon Council.

Pat Knight, who has been a Labour councillor before, was ten weeks into her second term, having won a Fairfield ward seat in May's elections, when she switched sides last week.

After four years with the Tories she said this week: "I have seen the way that the modern Labour Party is delivering services for the people of Croydon and that is a process that I want to participate in."

Audrey-Marie Yates, who along with Coun Bob Coatman, makes up the remaining Tory Fairfield councillors, said: "I think this was planned. Labour couldn't get a Fairfield seat and now Pat Knight has handed them a golden egg and split the ward."

Conservative Leader Andrew Pelling said: "The first time I heard Pat Knight was going to Labour was from the Croydon Guardian.

"There should be a by-election. She should stand down and let the residents decide whether they still want her to represent the ward."

Labour's Council Leader Hugh Malyan said: "I am happy to welcome Pat to our side of the Chamber."

July 17, 2002 11:30