A LIBERAL Democrat councillor has slammed the “questionable practices” of party colleagues over the de-selection of three senior members.

Cllr James O’Rourke, who is believed to have considered standing as an independent after group leader John Macklin, chief whip Bob Carey and cabinet member Bob Belam were ditched by the party, has said he will remain a Liberal Democrat - partly to ensure such a crisis does not happen again.

The member for High Street praised the three councillors, who will stand as independents in the forthcoming local election, saying they were ditched because they refused to bow down to pressure from the Walthamstow party executive after Cllr Bob carey was de-selected.

“The de-selection of Cllr Carey, eight weeks ago, and the recent de-selection of Cllrs Belam and Macklin as a result of their dogged, and in my opinion right, refusal to capitulate to the highly questionable practices of the executive, has been one of the most deplorable episodes of my political career,” he said.

Cllr John Macklin officially remains deputy leader of the council and head of the Lib Dem group, despite standing against the party in Chapel End ward.

The de-facto leader, Johar Khan, who is believed to have played a major role in the power struggle, was suspended from the group over Cllr Carey's de-selection.

He was joined by Cllrs Bob Wheatley, Patrick Smith, Sean Meiszner and Peter Walcott, who are all still standing as Lib Dems.

But regional party bosses have told them that the suspensions are unconstitutional and they have been advised to appeal.

Under party rules, Cllr Macklin can only be deposed by a majority vote at a group meeting.

The Guardian understands there is little appetite among members to arrange this so close to the election.

The five suspensions, which effectively mean the members cannot vote to depose Cllr Macklin, are also thought to be a major factor.

Labour leader Chris Robbins, has called for Cllr Macklin, his coalition partner, to “do the gracious thing” and step down as head of the Lib Dems.

Conservative leader Cllr Matt Davis said he is glad Cllr Macklin remains in the role, but described the situation as “bonkers”.

In a leaflet distributed to voters Cllr O’Rourke explained his decision to stand as a Liberal Democrat.

He said: “I still strongly believe in the principles of liberal democracy and as a Liberal Democrat, I stand alongside the majority of my colleagues in Waltham Forest who have the same beliefs.

“I stand on my record, over the last four years as a Liberal Democrat councillor in High Street ward, in the forthcoming local elections in the hope residents give me another four years to carry on the work we've started together.

“I will also fight for a Liberal Democrat borough party to ensure no one constituency can cause such a furore again.

"Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those High Street residents who have offered me their support by email, telephone and on the door whilst canvassing. Such forthright support clearly indicates that as a Liberal Democrat councillor I have been doing the right things over the last four years.”