A FORMAL investigation is to begin into the alleged conduct of an independent councillor, after the Conservative group lodged a complaint.

The Tories claim Councillor Paul Cromie (Ind, Queensbury) “consistently put effort into undermining” two of their former Queensbury councillors, Michael Walls and Lisa Carmody.

But Cllr Cromie has labelled the accusation “a complete load of testicles”.

In a letter to City Solicitor Parveen Akhtar, Conservative group leader Councillor Simon Cooke said he was making a formal complaint about Cllr Cromie’s conduct towards Mr Walls and Ms Carmody.

He said: “Both colleagues have reported to me that Cllr Cromie consistently put effort into undermining their work as elected members, with former councillor Carmody in particular being targeted during a period of ill health and whilst she was also committed to protecting the health of a family member who was quite seriously ill at the time.

“I am advised that a number of Queensbury residents who are active within the community have witnessed Cllr Paul Cromie’s actions towards former councillor Carmody and were themselves less than impressed.

“Whilst former councillor Carmody ultimately resigned from the Council due to a change in personal circumstances, it is my understanding that in significant part due to Cllr Cromie’s actions, Lisa had already decided to stand down.”

Cllr Cromie completely denied the allegations and said he would fight them.

He said: “This is not the first time the Tories have reported me. It’s not the first time I have been to standards. It’s not the first time I have had the police investigating my actions.

“And guess what? They’ve never found any evidence.”

He said he had “never hated anybody”, saying he and his wife, fellow independent Queensbury councillor Lynda Cromie, had nominated and seconded Mr Walls’ 2012 stand for re-election.

Cllr Cromie, who quit the BNP in 2011, said: “The more they say wrong about me, the more votes we get. The people of Queensbury know me and my wife.”

And he suggested the complaint could relate to the forthcoming Queensbury by-election, adding: “All I can say is, bring it on, Cllr Cooke.”

Ms Carmody resigned from Bradford Council earlier this month, citing health and family reasons, but at the time also took to Facebook to make complaints about unnamed councillors.

Yesterday, she said she would not personally have chosen to pursue an official complaint but would participate in any standards investigation.

Mr Walls, who lost his seat to Cllr Lynda Cromie in 2016, welcomed the news that Cllr Cooke had lodged a complaint, saying: “I do hope they actually deal with it properly.”

It is understood the complaint will be considered by the authority’s standards committee.

A spokesman for Bradford Council said: “We have received the letter but there are formal procedures to be undertaken in relation to a member complaint and these will be followed in due course.”

A by-election for Ms Carmody’s Council seat will be held on May 4 and candidates’ names are due to be released by April 5.