Labour councillors expelled after residence claims

Two city councillors have been expelled from the Labour Party following an investigation into claims over their places of residence.

A Labour Party spokesman said the memberships of Brighton & Hove city councillors Bharti Gajjar and Chandni Mistry had been cancelled.

Council leader Bella Sankey said "immediate steps" had been taken to have them removed from the Labour group.

Ms Gajjar and Ms Mistry have been approached for a comment.

The two women are now facing calls to stand down from the council completely.

The councillors were elected to represent Kemptown and Queen's Park wards respectively in the May elections.

To become a councillor, you must be registered to vote in the area or have lived, worked, or owned property there for at least 12 months before an election.

Ms Sankey, leader of the Labour group on the council, said an investigation into the claims concerning the councillors' places of residence had concluded and their membership of the party had been cancelled.

She added: "We have therefore taken immediate steps to have them removed from the Labour group of councillors at Brighton & Hove City Council."

Chief whip to the Labour group, Amanda Grimshaw, has called on the two women "to do the right thing and stand down from the council, so that the people of Kemptown and Queen's Park can elect new councillors to represent them".

A Labour Party spokesman said: "The Labour Party takes all complaints seriously and they are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures and any appropriate action is taken.

"In this case, the party has decided to cancel the membership of Bharti Gajjar and Chandni Mistry."

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