By Julie Morgan

Last updated at 11:16, Thursday, 25 June 2009

TWO Tory councillors have refused to accept nominations to sit on a confidential Copeland Borough Council committee.

Coun Norman Clarkson and Coun Yvonne Clarkson told a meeting of Copeland’s Full Council on Tuesday that they would not be sitting on the Personnel Panel, after being nominated by the Labour group.

However, a third Tory councillor, Keith Hitchen, who was also nominated, said he would attend panel meetings.

Conservative members were required for the panel to ensure “political balance’’.

However, Tory group leader, David Moore, said he had not put forward his members as he didn’t have “full confidence’’ in the integrity of the panel chairman, Robin Pitt, an ex-Conservative member who has defected to Labour. Coun Pitt has rebuffed the allegations.

Elaine Woodburn, leader of the council, said she was “disappointed’’ that the councillors were taking that stance.

First published at 15:44, Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk