JOHN Syme has sensationally quit the Warminster branch of the Liberal Democrats amid allegations that a vote in which he was deselected as a candidate for Wiltshire County Council elections was fixed.

Cllr Syme attended Monday night's Warminster Town Council meeting, claiming afterwards that the secret postal ballot was rigged.

In a statement to fellow town councillors, Cllr Syme announced he would now be sitting as an independent town councillor.

He has already announced his intention to join forces with Independent Cllr Christopher Newbury on Wiltshire County Council, with another statement indicating his departure as a Liberal Democrat from West Wiltshire District Council expected soon.

The fixing allegations come just weeks after Cllr Syme was deselected by members of the Warminster Liberal Democrats in a secret postal ballot, when he gained only 30 per cent of the votes.

Liberal Democrat chairman Bob Adam insists the ballot was democratic and that the allegations had no substance.

He said: "There were accusations that the hustings were fixed but he has my whole-hearted support to investigate.

"Nobody slagged him off, nobody ignored him and nobody said they didn't want him.

"To make an accusation like that is ridiculous."

Cllr Syme's accusations come after ill feeling within the party in September, after it was revealed he had been thrown out of his marital home for his unfaithful ways and had an 18-month-old lovechild.

Leader of West Wiltshire District Council Angie Barker admits news of Cllr Syme's accusations were sad but said he had not informed her of his intention to leave the party at district council level.

She said: "I think it is sad. Obviously John has some disagreement with his local branch but certainly his county and district colleagues have been supportive."