AN ex-Labour councillor, who left the party last year, has joined the Liberal Democrats.

Breightmet councillor Debbie Newall left the Labour Party following a lack of action into years of complaints levelled at fellow councillor Liam Irving.

Until she left the party, Cllr Newall was Bolton Council's Executive Cabinet Member for Adult Health And Social Care.

Cllr Newall has since sat in the town hall chamber as an independent, but will sit in the next Council Meeting on August 21 as a full member of the Liberal Democrat group.

Upon joining the Lib Dems, Cllr Newall said: “Perhaps the main driving force for me was Brexit. The Liberal Democrats have been unequivocally open and honest about their policy to fight for an exit from Brexit from the very morning of the referendum result. It’s a stark contrast from the incoherent ‘half-in, half-out’ approach adopted by the Labour Party.

“Locally too, the Liberal Democrats have shown that despite being smaller than either Labour or the Conservatives, their passion and drive to deliver real change for residents is unparalleled. Their willingness to work across party boundaries to deliver positive results is refreshing and It’s a real pleasure to be joining such a forward thinking team.”

Executive Cabinet Member for Adult Health AndSocial Care until leaving the party in 2018, has joined the Liberal Democrats.

Welcoming her to the party, Liberal Democrat group leader, Cllr Roger Hayes, said: “I am delighted to welcome Cllr Newall to the Liberal Democrat group and I’m certain she’ll be an incredible addition to the team.

“The knowledge and experience Debbie brings from her time as an Executive Cabinet member is sure to be a huge asset as we strive to hold the ruling Conservative group to the promises they made to the residents of Bolton.”