Corby mayor stands down after Labour Party suspension
Just three months into his mayoral year, Corby Mayor Ross Armour has been suspended by the Labour Party
By Sarah Ward
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The mayor of Corby Town Council has resigned from office after being suspended from the Labour Party.
The town council installed a new mayor yesterday night after Cllr Ross Armour’s term of office ended in suspension disgrace.
Cllr Armour was suspended by the political party in July and is no longer listed as a Labour councillor on the North Northamptonshire Council, but remains a unitary councillor.
He has been placed under an ‘administrative’ suspension by the Labour Party, which means once an investigation has concluded he could be allowed back into the party. He is a long standing member, having served as secretary of the constituency group for a number of years before his election as a local politician.
NN Journal is aware of the reason for the suspension but due to legal reasons cannot presently report the details.
Before last night’s meeting at the Autumn Centre in Corby, leader of the town council Mark Pengelly said he had been informed of Cllr Armour’s suspension earlier this summer and ‘took immediate action’. He said he could not comment any further.
During his three months as mayor, Cllr Armour, who is a former national Scottish dancing champion, and was elected to the town council and unitary council in 2021, carried out a series of mayoral duties, including attending the annual Highland gathering.
His theme for the year was mental health and he chose Corby Mind as his charity.
NN Journal contacted him for comment on the situation but as yet he has not responded.
Cllr Armour is the second town council mayor who has come under the spotlight in recent years.
As NN Journal reported last year, Labour Cllr Tafadzwa Chikoto had links to the Zimbabwean government and had been to a meeting with controversial president Emmerson Mnangagwa after being elected as Corby’s mayor. His Zanu PF party is accused of running an oppressive regime with opponents persecuted.
Cllr Tafadzwa remains a councillor on the town council, which is currently a one party council.
Cllr William Colquhoun was voted in as the new mayor last night. He will be deputised by Callum Reilly.
I am disappointed you have not seen fit to delete the word “disgrace” from you article concerning Ross Armour's Labour Party suspension.
The final word in your second paragraph is pejorative and should be rescinded.