A former senior Conservative councillor has been rejected by his group to defend his Craven ward seat at Bradford Council’s elections in May.

The decision to oust Coun Adrian Nayor, who lives in Silsden, was made in a secret ballot by a panel of judges selected by the Keighley and Ilkley Conservative Association.

Coun Naylor, who was a member of the powerful executive when the Conservatives led the council, has lodged an appeal.

A hearing was due to take place on Friday but it was adjourned after Coun Naylor demanded that his appeal was considered by an independent panel.

Dorothy Clamp, chairman of the Keighley and Ilkley Conservative Association, said: “The party has said that everybody, including sitting councillors, need to be approved by a panel made up of various people to see whether they should go on to stand for selection for a seat next May.

“There were ten people who went through this process, including myself. Each person was asked four questions and there was a secret ballot on each person. As a result, Adrian was not approved for standing next May.”

Coun Clamp said Coun Naylor could appeal against the process but not against the decision as it had been a secret ballot.

“The appeal has been adjourned on the request of Coun Naylor, who wants it heard by an independent group of people,” she added.

Coun Naylor, 52, was elected as one of Bradford Council’s Craven ward representatives in March 2006 and was returned to his Craven ward seat with 67.2 per cent of the vote in 2008.

Coun Naylor, who is chairman of Addingham Library Group, said he could not comment until after the appeal process was completed.