The former leader of the East Riding Liberal Democrats was entitled to disagree with devolution deal proposals and was not suspended because of them, the current group head has said.
Cllr Denis Healy has denied his predecessor Cllr David Nolan was suspended for his views on devolution, saying it was over an internal disciplinary matter.
He added Liberal Democrat opposition councillors had been given a free vote on putting the draft Hull and East Riding deal out to consultation in December.
It comes after Cllr Nolan, of Hessle ward, claimed he was suspended because of his outspoken opposition to devolution after being told to keep quiet.
The councillor has been suspended from the group pending an investigation into disciplinary allegations.
He was the only member of the Liberal Democrat opposition on East Riding Council to vote against the consultation which he has since branded a one-sided PR exercise.
Conservative Council Policy Portfolio Holder Cllr Leo Hammond told councillors last week the consultation was objective and the results would be analysed by an independent company.
Cllr Nolan said his suspension would not stop him speaking out against devolution.
He said:
“Political party calculations have been put before the best interests of residents and they have attempted to gag any criticism of it.”
But Cllr Healy said the Hessle councillor had always been allowed to hold his own views.
The group leader said:
“Cllr Nolan has not been suspended for his views on devolution.
“He is against having an elected mayor and he is perfectly entitled to that opinion.
“The Liberal Democrat group had a free vote when this was debated in December, and Cllr Nolan was the only East Riding councillor who voted against putting the devolution deal out to public consultation.
“His suspension is related to an internal disciplinary matter which is now being investigated, and I am unable to comment further on that at this stage.”
Cllr Nolan was leader of the East Riding Liberal Democrats until then deputy Cllr Healy ousted him following May’s local elections.
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