Suspended Council Member Runs Independent

0:00On April 17th, a Brent Council member, Sanita Hirani from Kenton Ward, got suspended by the Conservative Party right before local election nominations, closed. The suspension came pending an investigation into alleged criminal activity and she resigned her membership during the probe. Now she's running as an independent for the May 7th vote. The timing hit hard, with her learning about it on March 31st, via a phone call, then an email on April 1st confirming it. Nomination deadline was April 9th, so she felt forced to quit the party to stay in the race. The Conservatives referred the whole matter to the Metropolitan Police. Hirani, a former police officer herself, says she was never told the specifics of the allegations and as demanded answers repeatedly. She believes it was a deliberate move to wreck her re-election chances and damage her rep and she's brought in lawyers who sensiced and desist, letters to the party. From the Conservative side, they say she bailed before they could lay out the full evidence and allegations.

1:02A spokesperson stressed they hold high standards and back the party's integrity push, but they're staying quiet while police dig in. Hirani's not backing down. She's out campaigning harder than ever, focused on helping Kenton residents and dead set on clearing her name no matter. What comes next?