A fifth member of Enfield Council has quit Labour to join a breakaway political group.

Cllr Anne Brown, who represents Southgate Green, has joined her ex-Labour colleagues in opposition group Community First.

Community First leader Cllr Dinah Barry said: “Community First are delighted to welcome Cllr Anne Brown to our group. We have great respect for Anne’s strong Labour values and her courage.

“Anne represents Southgate Green ward, where Community First now have a majority.”

Cllr Brown has not made public her reasons for leaving the Labour Party.

She joins Cllrs Barry, Daniel Anderson, Dino Lemonides and Derek Levy in the breakaway group, which was formed last year.

The four other councillors quit Labour due to concerns about an apparent lack of democracy in the Labour Group under the current administration.

READ MORE: Disaffected Labour councillors quit party and form new group, Community First

It means Labour now has a 15-seat majority on Enfield Council – down from 29 following the local elections in 2018, when the party gained five seats from the Conservatives.

That lead looks set to shrink further, as the council confirmed it had received a resignation notice from Cllr Bernadette Lappage, a Labour councillor for Jubilee ward.

Two seats are currently vacant following the death of Cllr Chris Bond, who represented Southbury for Labour, and the departure of Cllr Vicki Pite, who stepped down as a Labour councillor for Chase ward.

The Tories have 16 councillors, and there is one independent member.

Cllr Brown has been approached for comment.

More to follow.