A leading RA councillor deselected by his party says that he has been branded a “scapegoat” for the council’s unpopular decisions.

Keith Mann, chairman of the strategy and resources committee at Epsom and Ewell Borough council, claims that he was unfairly targeted for difficult decisions made by the whole RA ruling group - including shutting public toilets and charging blue badge holders for parking.

Coun Mann, who has served on the council for the past 20 years, says that allegations against him were made by members in other RA groupings and were partly to blame for his deselection as a councillor in Cuddington ward.

He said: “I think it was a totally erroneous decision.

“A lot of nasty things were said which had a scapegoating effect and the chairman of the Cuddington RA came to accept that point of view.

“What has happened has happened - we have to move on.

“I had offers from other RAs to run as a councillor because they wanted someone with experience but I declined.

“It is time to step down - I have very much enjoyed my time as a councillor.”

Judith Glover, chairman of Cuddington Ward, denied the allegations arguing that the result was simply down to the election.

“As far as I’m concerned there were more candidates than spaces.

“It was just an election and unfortunately he didn’t get selected.”

Cllr Mann’s deselection announcement comes only two weeks after former RA leader Robert Leach announced he was standing down.

Former SARA Chairman, Bill Slaughter, said: “For Keith Mann to suggest that any other RAs made him a scapegoat’ over his refusal to listen to residents on issues such as withdrawing free Blue Badge parking and the closure of all the borough’s toilets is arrant nonsense.

“Keith Mann’s failure to be re-selected by Cuddington RA as one of their election candidates is entirely a matter for that Association - I am sure they will have taken into account Keith’s abysmal performance as the Chairman of Strategy and Resources Committee.”