Swanley's Conservative party has been caught in a whirlwind of controversy this week after it axed its whip and lost its mayor.

In an unexpected turn of events the mayor, Shanker Gaire, has resigned.

Mr Gaire - the first Nepalese mayor in Britain – quit the job on November 2, as did his wife as mayor’s escort.

Following 10 years as members they also quit the Conservative party and will now sit as independents for the council.

The mayor said he was, “fed up with being used as a puppet in dirty politics” and being “ignored” by the ruling Tories.

Cllr Laurence Ball will move into the position temporarily until a new mayor and deputy are elected. 

The deputy leader of Swanley Town Council, Ray Morris, said: "[These] accusations made are completely untrue, Shanker Gaire would not have been unanimously elected as mayor and his wife Laxmi as mayoress if councillors were racist.

"Swanley was proud to have the first Nepalese mayor and publicised the fact widely.

"All councillors expressed their regret that the mayor had stepped down but pleased he was remaining as a councillor."

Last week cllr Tony Searles was stripped of his duties as whip following allegations of sexual harassment in April this year.

In response to both announcements, Labour cllr Mike Hogg said: “This news comes only days after it was announced that Tony Searles was indefinitely suspended from the ruling Conservative Group.

“This means that in this year, for varied reasons, the Tories have lost four councillors.”