A LEADING West Oxfordshire District Council cabinet member has been sacked for failing to toe the party’s line, it has been claimed.

Conservative councillor Hilary Biles was fired by council leader Barry Norton last Monday for opposing cuts.

At a full council meeting on February 23 she refused to vote for reducing the grant aid community groups could apply for, from £100,000 to £50,000.

The vote was ‘whipped’, meaning Mrs Biles, cabinet member for leisure, young people and health, had to vote in favour of the plan. Chipping Norton Town Council member Gerry Alcock, a friend of Mrs Biles, said she had been fired for standing by her principles.

He said she had fought to protect the grants budget for sports facilities and village halls.

And he added: “They had to get this budget approved, so they put it on a whipped vote to cabinet, and she didn’t vote in favour of it, and that’s a sacking.”

It was unclear whether Mrs Biles abstained from the vote or opposed it.

A district council spokesman said records were not kept.

Mrs Biles refused to comment on the matter except for a short statement, which said: “It really has been a pleasure to be on the cabinet. I wish my successor every success and I hope they enjoy it as much as I have.”

Mrs Biles, who will remain the councillor for Ascott and Shipton, has served on the cabinet for six years and is also chairman of Oxfordshire County Council.

Mr Norton refused to comment.