A TORY councillor sensationally quit the majority party last night to join the opposition over the "secretive way Tories run the council", a Liberal Democrat member has claimed.

Ian Pittock made the dramatic move at a Wokingham Borough Council meeting about school funding on Thursday night.

At the end of the meeting, Cllr Pittock stood up and revealed to his colleagues he was resigning from the Conservative Party with immediate effect and joining the Liberal Democrats.

He said: "With the greatest respect to you Mr Mayor and some of my Conservative colleagues.

"With immediate effect I resign from the Conservative group.

"In a few minutes I will send an email resigning from the Conservative party.

"I am now moving across the chamber to join the Liberal Democrats."

Speaking on social media, Cllr Clive Jones, also Lib Dem, added: "Wokingham Borough Councillor Ian Pittock has left the Conservatives and joined the Liberal Democrats.

"He has many reasons for leaving, he is Pro European and dislikes the secretive way that the Conservatives run the council and themselves.

"Liberal Democrats have now gained 2 councillors in Wokingham so far this year AND Ex Conservative Councillor Gary Cowan has left them to become an independent."