Colin Craig reveals plan for new Conservative board

The Conservative Party has been tearing itself apart since Craig stood down as leader last week. Photo / Paul Taylor

Former Conservative Party leader Colin Craig has confirmed plans to elect a new board, intensifying a battle for the control of the party.

Following the mass resignation of board members last week, Mr Craig said he had received advice from membership manager Angela Storr that a new board would be elected.

The election of a new board came despite claims from self-appointed chairman John Stringer that an executive body was already in place.

Mr Stringer, the only board member not to resign last week, said he was the head of a newly-created interim board. This interim board had suspended Mr Craig's membership on Saturday, he said.

But Mr Craig said Mr Stringer had been suspended by the party on Thursday for breaching the party's code of conduct.

Former chairman Brian Dobbs confirmed Mr Stringer's suspension.

Mr Craig said: "Given that Mr Stringer is not currently a member of the party he has no business holding himself out in any capacity as its representative.

"I therefore do not accept any subsequent suspension of my own membership."

Despite the party's disintegration last week, Mr Craig said finding a new board should not be difficult.

"The party has fantastic depth and there will be no shortage of great people to step up
and do the job."

Mr Craig would not stand for the new board, but could still be appointed leader or co-opted as a board member in future.

He resigned as leader on June 19, later admitting that he had behaved inappropriately with his former press secretary Rachael MacGregor.

That admission prompted all board members but Mr Stringer to resign last week, leaving the party rudderless.

Meanwhile, Mr Craig said discussions had resumed with Ms MacGregor on plans to waive a confidentiality agreement between the two.

Both parties said last week they wanted to end the agreement so they could speak publicly. But discussions stalled last week, and the impasse appeared to be caused by Ms MacGregor.

Mr Craig said: "I can advise that the parties have now begun a discussion which I hope will allow further disclosure."