Coleman Ousted For Good

The beginning of the end of senior Tory Brian Coleman's scandal-plagued political career.

Coleman expelled from Conservative Party

John Macdonald-Fulton / Via times-series.co.uk

Senior Tory Brian Coleman has been permanently expelled from the national Conservative Party in the wake of his conviction for common assault.

The former Barnet mayor was ousted by his peers at the Chipping Barnet Conservatives, a majority of whom voted in favour of removing him from the national party.

Councillor Coleman, a former head of the London Fire Authority and close aide to Boris Johnson, failed to turn up to the meeting which effectively decided the fate of his political career.

He will remain on Barnet Council as an independent member but will face the electorate at the next local elections in May 2014.

The extraordinary meeting of the group's executive council this evening followed Councillor Coleman's conviction for assault last month.

The former parking portfolio holder pleaded guilty to attacking café owner Helen Michael as she took pictures of his illegally parked car in North Finchley High Road.

His expulsion from the Conservative Party tonight brings an end to a controversial political career as a Tory, in which he faced at least two standards board hearings at Barnet Council for inappropriate behaviour.

He was removed as Barnet's cabinet member for parking in May last year following a series of unpopular policies, including raising charges and introducing the much maligned pay-by-phone system.