The cabinet member who defied his party and voted for Thanet council to team up with RiverOak to force a buyout of Manston airport says he will not be defecting.

Cllr Derek Crow-Brown, who represents Thanet Villages ward, was the sole rebel at last night’s cabinet meeting, saying that Thanet council should be prepared to take a risk and agree to push ahead with a CPO.

But he has ruled out joining other Ukip councillors who have defected in protest and would not be supporting any attempt to oust the ruling Ukip administration.

Opposition Conservative leader Cllr Bob Bayford has called on councillors who are supporters of the RiverOak CPO plan to join an alternative coalition and replace Ukip - which would have to be triggered by a vote of no confidence.

Cllr Derek Crow-Brown said: “RiverOak are not going to go away and have spent an awful lot of money. I felt that if we went for a new CPO with someone else, it would cost a fortune. I have a lot of passion for the airport.”

He added that the issue over RiverOaks’ finances could have been resolved over time.

“It was a risk but sometimes you have to take a risk.”

Asked if he would join other defectors, he said: “No, absolutely not. I am 100% loyal.”

Ukip has already lost five of its members through defections and a sixth is expected to switch to the Conservatives, meaning the party has lost its majority.

Thanet council's Ukip cabinet effectively drew a line under its discussions with RiverOak at last night's meeting. But it emerged the council had been approached by four other interested parties about the airport.

Council leader Chris Wells, who was frequently heckled and jeered at at last night's meeting, said he would not disclose the details of who had expressed an interest.

Asked if he expected further defections, Mr Wells said: "I don't know I am usually the last to find out."

The cabinet decision not to pursue a CPO with RiverOak is likely to be called in for scrutiny before it can be implemented.