THE chairman of York Conservative Association has responded to former Tory councillor John Galvin's announcement that he will stand as an Independent at this year’s City of York Council elections.

Cllr Galvin made the announcement yesterday, weeks after he revealed he was “extremely angry and very hurt” after being barred from standing for the Conservative party in May’s elections.

Matt Freckelton claimed today that Cllr Galvin had signed off and agreed to the approval process which failed to approve him, and had not disputed the decision through the formal process.

Cllr Galvin said yesterday: “After much soul searching following the York Conservative Association’s decision that I am not considered to be a suitable Conservative candidate for the city council election in May, I have decided to stand in the Bishopthorpe Ward as an Independent. No reasons for my not being suitable have been given consequently, I can only assume that this decision is purely personal and age related rather than my record as a councillor over the past 12 years.

“My decision to stand has not been taken lightly, however it has been helped by the overwhelming support I have received from many residents who have encouraged me to stand as an Independent. I believe this support is down to my record of service for the residents of Bishopthorpe and Acaster Malbis over the past 12 years, and a wish to have a councillor who is as you might say ‘well tried and well tested’.”

Cllr Galvin, 80, said he had always felt "incredibly honoured" to represent the ward in which he had lived for the past 29 years.

Mr Freckelton said today the approval process that Cllr Galvin referred to was signed off by the York Conservative Executive Council, of which he was a member at the time.

"Thus, before being interviewed John had agreed to the process as set out by party headquarters," he said.

"There is a formal process for someone to dispute the decision made if they think the process was not followed. John did not dispute the decision through the formal process.

"As per the rules outlined by the party we are not allowed to provide feedback to any candidate after the interview.

"As per the rules outlined by the party we are only allowed to ask legal questions. We are not allowed to take a factor like age into consideration.

"The approval panel had seven members on it, so we do not understand how John thinks the decision was a personal one."