A SOUTH Gloucestershire councillor has resigned from the Conservatives, claiming he was the target of a smear campaign.

Bradley Stoke Cllr Ben Walker announced his decision to leave the party and to join UKIP this week, stating he would no longer be part of a political group which actively undermined its members.

In his letter of resignation, the former Bradley Stoke Mayor wrote: "This is not a decision I have made lightly and one that has been in deliberation for some time.

"I have been internally smeared, but will not be bullied. I will not fracture the Conservative group from within as I do not wish that for my colleagues. I will fight fairly through the proper channels."

He added that he had been forced out of the party by members.

"Internal individuals have made it their business to remove me from the party in fear of their positions, so I have decided to give them what they want, for now."

His departure from the party was also prompted by the coalition government's stance on Europe and its austerity policy, which he said he could not condone.

Bristol and South Gloucestershire Conservatives said Cllr Walker was letting down voters by quitting the party.

In a statement they said: "Councillor Walker has let down the hundreds of Bradley Stoke residents who voted to elect a Conservative councillor only last year. "The Conservative Party locally will continue to champion the needs and aspirations of the people of Bradley Stoke as it always has."

Cllr Walker’s 24-year-old sister Charlotte recently became Bradley Stoke’s youngest mayor.