‘Serious allegations’ made against leading Tories

THE president and chairman of the North Somerset Conservative Association have been removed from their posts after ‘serious’ allegations were made against them.

A letter has been written to members of the association by Somerset area chairman Peter Wright who explains he has been investigating complaints made about the governance of the North Somerset association for the past few months.

He says the allegations made are ‘serious’ and have resulted in the president, Carl Francis-Pester, and chairman, Christopher Allcock, being removed from their positions.

As a result, the association, which has an office in Nailsea’s High Street, is now under the control of the party board and David Dodd has been appointed as the interim chairman until the ‘reconstruction of the association is complete’.

Mr Francis-Pester is a town councillor in Clevedon, represents Easton-in-Gordano as a North Somerset councillor and is also a member of North Somerset Council’s executive. It is not yet known if the allegations could affect his position as a councillor.

Mr Allcock is from Pill and is a farmer.

Details of the allegations made against them are not yet known but they are due to be explained to the association’s executive council and to other members as soon as possible.

North Somerset’s Conservative MP Dr Liam Fox has also been kept informed about the allegations and the ongoing investigation into them, which could take up to six months to complete.

The Times has been unable to contact Mr Francis-Pester and Mr Allcock for a comment.