This is Leicestershire --A city councillor has quit Leicester's Labour group as she prepares to face a charge of perverting the course of justice in court.
Councillor Barbara Potter told Labour colleagues she would be "stepping aside" while legal proceedings against her continue.
However, she will remain as an independent member for the city's Humberstone and Hamilton ward.
She addressed the Labour group on Monday, in a meeting behind closed doors, having appeared before magistrates on Friday.
Yesterday, Coun Potter told the Mercury she felt let down by the majority of the 51 other Labour councillors, claiming they had not supported her.
She singled out the group's hierarchy – chairman Councillor Patrick Kitterick and Councillor Neil Clayton, who succeeded her as chief whip earlier this year – for particular criticism.
She said: "I stood in front of them and I told them I felt they had let me down.
"When I was chief whip, I defended every party member and stood up for them.
"I have been through a very difficult time and they have not supported me. I told them I did not think that was right."
The Mercury asked Coun Potter what kind of support she expected.
She said: "They should have backed me up. I am a member of the party and some of them treated me like I had the plague. I thanked some of the members who did stand by me."
Speaking about Monday's meeting, she added: "I didn't want a response from them. I was there to tell them what I wanted to say and I did. I wasn't there to listen to them. I feel victimised and isolated.
"If I hadn't stepped aside, I would have been suspended."
She said she would "continue to fight" for residents in her ward.
Coun Potter will appear at Leicester Crown Court later this month to enter a plea to a charge of perverting the course of justice, by making a false report to the police about her ex-partner, Andrew Taylor.
She added: "I will be pleading not guilty and I will be clearing my name."
Councillor Clayton said he had never had a specific request from her for help.
"Where possible, she has been assisted and the non-support issue is wholly without foundation," he said. "She has done the right thing stepping aside as she does face a very serious allegation."
Councillor Kitterick said: "She has never approached me for help or advice. If she is cleared of the charge, she can apply to rejoin the group."
Coun Potter, 47, told the Mercury she was not sure if she would apply to rejoin. Reported by This is 1 hour ago.