A SENIOR councillor is facing demands to quit by former Labour colleagues after resigning over a decision made three months ago.

Cllr Roger Berriman's fallout with the Labour group on Maidstone Borough Council followed his decision at the council's budget setting meeting in March to vote against amendments put forward by his party on the night.

The amendments, including freezing the pay of some senior staff, helped reduce a cabinet recommended five per cent council tax bill rise.

In a statement, Cllr Berriman, who represents Fant ward, said: "I accepted the democratic decision of the group to put an alternative budget forward, which on the night caused me considerable discomfort.

"I took the view that having supported the cabinet budget through the long process of setting I should remain loyal to the cabinet. In the past the group has achieved its aims by negotiation before the night."

Labour group leader Cllr Danny Murphy said he was saddened at Cllr Berriman's departure but also baffled at his reasons.

He said: "He was one of the co-writers of the amendments that were put before the council and didn't object beforehand.