Ex-Green councillor joins the Conservative group

A former Green city councillor has joined the Conservatives to increase the Tories' number on an authority where they are already the largest party.

Kirsty Knight, who had up until her move been an independent for the Orton Waterville ward on Peterborough City Council, is the fourteenth Conservative on the authority.

In January, a panel found the former chair of the children and young people's scrutiny committee had "abused her position" after a complaint was made against her by a resident.

Knight said: "After everything that has happened recently, I realised I could no longer fight everything alone."

She added: "Joining the Conservative Group gives me the support to continue delivering for residents while remaining the same independently minded councillor people know me to be."

Knight resigned from the Greens in 2024, saying she it was because of a difference in beliefs.

After last week's local elections, the Conservatives became the largest party on the council, but no party has an overall majority.

Tory group spokesman John Howard said "Kirsty is the embodiment of what a hardworking, local champion should be".

Do you have a story suggestion for Peterborough? Contact us below.

Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.