The younger sister of a Tory MP has defected as a Conservative councillor today to join the Liberal Democrats.
Sarah Dinenage, sister of Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage, has decided to swap sides just two weeks before the local elections at which she is understood to be standing down.
The sisters are both the daughters of ITV newsreader and local TV personality Fred Dinenage.
Sarah Dinenage said that she made the decision because of too much in-fighting within the Conservative group which is in opposition in the Liberal Democrat-controlled city council.
She said that she had not discussed the move with her elder sister who herself attracted controversy at the last general election when her image was allegedly airbrushed on a campaigning leaflet.
Sarah Dinenage told the Portsmouth News: "We share the same last name but we are very different people. This isn't something that is against the Tory party nationally."
