A COUNCILLOR suspended by the Conservative Party after he called a colleague a ‘cripple’ will stand as an independent in upcoming elections – but remains a party member.

Peter Handley was previously a Conservative county and West Oxfordshire district councillor but was suspended by the party when he had an argument with former colleague Alex Postan in February 2018.

He said he is determined to hold onto his Carterton North West ward as an independent – despite his party membership – in local elections on May 2.

Mr Handley complained of ‘continual bitching and infighting’ amongst West Oxfordshire’s Tories.

But a source said many party members think he is a ‘difficult character’.

Last February, he caused anger after he claimed so much council money is spent in Blackbird Leys that each resident could ‘have a gold-plated front door’.

READ MORE: Councillor sparks funding row, claiming 'all of Blackbird Leys could have a golden door'

Mr Handley ran against Conservative group and council leader James Mills in West Oxfordshire’s local elections last May.

Mr Mills won in Bampton; Mr Handley finished fourth.

West Oxfordshire Conservative Association refused to say whether Mr Handley is a member but the source confirmed he has been readmitted.

Mr Handley said he will stand again for election in the hope of seeing a new permanent fire station opened in Carterton.

“We have gone so far now that I just want to see this in bricks and mortar,” he said.

It is understood there is considerable disquiet from Conservative members unhappy that he was allowed back into their party after standing against it.

The source said: “He is threatening to stand [as an independent] in Carterton North West.

“It is surprising he has been let back in the party Peter Handley after everything he was accused of.”

READ AGAIN: Councillor Peter Handley suspended by Conservatives for calling councillor a 'cripple'

But Mr Handley added: “Quite honestly, it’s got very petty. This is nothing to do with past ‘crimes’.

“I have served my suspension from the Tory group. I was never suspended by the county council.

“There is nothing shady happening.”

Mr Handley is a member of the county council’s ruling Conservative Independent Alliance.

He sits as an independent county councillor for the Carterton South and West division.

Mr Handley was re-elected as a Conservative district councillor in May 2015.

He won 1,328 votes, 957 ahead of the UKIP candidate in second place.