A COUNCILLOR has spoken for the first time about why she left the Liberal Democrat party to become an independent.

Barnoldswick Coun Marlene Hill-Crane claimed councillors in the party were "nodding donkeys" who were "bullied" to follow the Lib Dem line.

Coun Hill-Crane spoke out after two other members of the party made similar allegations.

But Coun Alan Davies, leader of the Lib Dems in Pendle, has said that the claims were "rubbish".

Coun Hill-Crane, 70, resigned 11 months ago to become an independent.

She said she had decided to break her silence over her resignation after Coun Ian Robinson, who represents the Waterside ward, Colne, and Coun Kathleen Shore, from the Clover Hill ward, Nelson, made similar claims after finding out they had not been re-selected by the Lib Dems for May's elections.

Coun Hill-Crane said: "I felt it was time reveal the reasons why I left after two other Lib Dem councillors were recently forced out.

"I feel that the Liberal Democrats are bullies. I had not felt happy with the group.

"I felt from the beginning that all councillors should have a voice - not just be 'nodding donkeys'.

"You cannot stand up against them. You have to toe the party line."

Coun Hill-Crane said what she meant by bullying' was intense pressure to vote strictly to the Lib Dem line and there was no room for disagreement.

Coun Robinson, who was told in February he had not been selected for the Lib Dems for May's elections, said the party did not want "rebels", but politicians who "toed the party line".

Coun Shore resigned after finding out she had not been selected.

She said: "If you do not do as you are told you are in trouble".

However Lib Dem bosses said Coun Robinson was not selected as they believed another candidate would have a greater chance of success.

On Coun Shore, bosses said she had become a "liability".

Regarding Coun Hill-Crane, Coun Davies said: "These allegations are rubbish.

"It is not a coincidence that this is coming about just before she is up for re-election."