Former Blackpool Council deputy leader no longer part of Labour group

Councillors were informed this week Coun Cain is now listed as a non-aligned independent member of the council.

It is believed Coun Cain has appealed against the decision by the national party to eject him following an investigation earlier this year into complaints about an alleged improper post he shared on Facebook.

Council leader and leader of the Labour group on Blackpool Council, Coun Lynn Williams said: “The rules of the Labour party are such that Coun Cain has been expelled.

“He is appealing to be allowed to rejoin the party and we await that decision.”

She refused to comment further while the appeal process is ongoing.

Coun Cain did not respond to requests for a comment.

He stood down in February from his roles as deputy leader and cabinet member with responsibility for children’s services.

Former council leader Coun Simon Blackburn is also currently suspended from the Labour party pending a separate investigation into undisclosed allegations against him which he has publicly denied.