A third former Merton Conservative councillor said he will be joining UKIP.

Councillor Rod Scott, ward member for Raynes Park, was among the four councillors who resigned from the Conservative group at the annual mayor making meeting on May 15 over claims of “backstabbing and duplicity” in the party.

Coun Scott joins Councillor Suzanne Evans and Councillor Richard Hilton who have signed up to UKIP.

But his wife and fellow ward member for for Raynes Park, Councillor Linda Scott, remains an independent.

Coun Scott said: “For quite a few years, I have been in agreement with UKIP policies, particularly leaving the European Union.

"I feel the Conservative group has been going backwards and consequently I am leaving to join UKIP.”

Their resignations came after the Conservative group elected Councillor Oonagh Moulton as their third leader in as many months after Coun Hilton called a leadership election.

Tory Councillor Chris Edge was later suspended from the group over his involvement in standing against Councillor Krystal Miller for the mayoralty after he was nominated by Coun Evans.