THE leader of Worcester City Council has said his election night comment about "withdrawing the whip" from a councillor facing criminal charges was "imprecise".

Councillor Stephen Inman used the phrase while explaining that, despite winning two seats in the local elections earlier this month, the Conservatives had not gained control of the council because Coun Mohammed Altaf, who is facing a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice, had left the group.

Now the leader has stated the Conservative group does not in fact operate a whip system after his remark caused a stir in the council chamber.

"On election night the use of the word 'whip' was imprecise and all that it was intended to convey was that Councillor Altaf had, of his own accord, resigned from the Conservative group," he said.

Coun Altaf confirmed that it had been his decision to leave the group and take up a seat next to the Liberal Democrats in the council chamber.

"I went to the Conservative group and said I wanted to withdraw for personal reasons," he said.

"I believe that because of the pending court case it is better for me, at the moment, to step down.

"I don't want to cause any embarrassment to anyone, so, until the case is over, and I have been found not guilty, I will serve my ward as an independent."

The chairman of Worcester Conservative Association, Councillor Barry Mackenzie-Williams, said that despite resigning from the Tory group in council, Coun Altaf remained a member of the Worcester Conservative Association.

"Mohammed Altaf, for entirely personal reasons, as opposed to any political consideration, decided to resign from the group," he said.

"However, he remains a member in good standing with the local Conservative Association and is entitled to take part in its activities."