No members of Redbridge's opposition will sit on a health scrutiny committee following a last minute vote yesterday.

It was voted that Conservative Cllr Suzanne Nolan would not have a place on the outer North East London Joint Health and Scrutiny committee by the Labour majority.

The decision means only Redbridge Labour members will sit on the committee, designed to scrutinise decisions made by the health service.

Redbridge’s Labour group suggested the last minute change at a full council meeting last night, leaving Conservatives reeling.

Cllr Linda Huggett, Conservative group leader, said: “I think it is very, very unfair that the changes were made at such a late stage.

“I think we need to review this at the earliest opportunity in the interest of equality and fairness.”

Cllr Suzanne Nolan called the changes “dictatorial.”

She and Cllr Michael Duffell of South Woodford Conservatives released a joint statement.

They said: “Unfortunately, this administration seems to be in a mess, and having to pander to its back benchers.

“This created the spectacle of the Labour leader speaking against, and amending his own proposals.

“It is a shame the administration decided to make this committee political, rather than bi-partisan which something like health should be and has been in the past.

“Cllr Nolan has a wealth of experience and a genuine concern for the health and well being of this borough.

“This is on the back of the leader promising to work with the Conservatives for the good of all the people of Redbridge. Unfortunately, this is what we can expect now for the next four years.”

Labour council leader Jas Athwal said: “This is not personal, there is nothing political about this.”

He explained that the decision had been taken to proportionally reflect the election result in the committee’s membership.

Cllr Roy Emmett of Hainault ward will sit on the committee instead of Cllr Suzanne Nolan.