Tendring Council leader Terry Allen today admitted he was "completely baffled" as to why he had been suspended from the Conservative Party.

Mr Allen only found out about the dramatic move on Friday after being told by the Gazette.

Along with four other high-profile Tories, Peter Balbirnie, Bernard Leatherdale, Denzel Watson and Jack Robertson, he is now being considered for expulsion from the party.

He said: "I'm just feeling shock and surprise, and I'm completely baffled about what's going on. I just wish someone would say what I've done.

"The first I knew was the Gazette ringing me to ask about the story that five of us had been suspended. That was news to me.

"You have five hard-working staunch Tories who are completely baffled who have had the worst weekend ever. This has been so hard on us and our families."

The news was given to all 560 members of the Harwich Conservative Association in a letter from Valerie Metcalfe, Essex area chairman.

It came a week after the resignation of the chairman and vice-chairman of the local branch of the Conservatives.

There is little indication why the five have been suspended, other than referring to "recent incidents" in the association.