A Conservative who voted to remove Reform UK's George Finch as leader of Warwickshire County Council has been suspended from his group.

Cllr Jan Matecki moved from the Tory benches to sit with independent councillors after the lunch break of Tuesday's meeting which saw Cllr Finch survive in the top job by just one vote.

When asked why, Cllr Matecki confirmed to the Local Democracy Reporting Service that he had been informed by Conservative group whip Cllr Jo Barker via email that he had been suspended for 21 days. 

He remains a member of the Conservative party and a county councillor. It does not affect his group membership at Warwick District Council but he must sit as a lone wolf at Shire Hall until the matter is resolved. 

Six out of the seven Tories in the chamber supported Cllr Finch to stay in post while two others – Cllr Chris Mills and Cllr Dean Richards – did not turn out.

Cllr Matecki said he had not been given a reason for his suspension.

"I can only presume it was because I voted for the motion of no confidence in George Finch," he said.

"I find it absolutely extraordinary that the whip was removed from me because I voted against an opposition leader."

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Asked whether he had been told there was a whip – instruction – to toe the party line, Cllr Matecki said that should remain "a private discussion"

Describing himself as "disappointed", he added: "I stood up for the residents that I represent. I became a councillor to do that.

"As I said in the meeting, I only ever made one promise when I stood to be a councillor and that was to listen. That was why I voted the way that I did.

"I have been a loyal Conservative and loyal to the group."

It came four days after Cllr Matecki resigned as deputy leader of Warwickshire County Council's Conservatives, something he remains adamant had nothing to do with the vote on Cllr Finch's future.

He reiterated that call was "purely down to leadership styles" and that it was "nothing personal" against group leader Cllr Adrian Warwick.

He had "no idea" what would happen next, stating "that is for the group to decide", but has no intention of walking away from his party. He declined to comment on whether he would escalate the matter within his party.

It comes on the backdrop of rivals accusing the Tories of being too close to – even propping up – Reform UK but Cllr Warwick argued that he and his members are in an unenviable position. 

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He confirmed that the Tories had been whipped to back Cllr Finch but that it was a "group decision" to issue that instruction. He declined to comment on the voting statistics.

Cllr Warwick went on to describe a "tough day and a difficult time recently" but insisted: "I believe in due process. I will use it fairly and Jan will have his say.

"I like Jan. I have worked with him for 10 months and we have complemented each other quite well."

Ahead of the vote of no confidence, Andrew Day, leader of the Conservative group on Warwick District Council, argued Cllr Matecki had warranted "much more support" from county colleagues after being portrayed as a burglar on social media by Cllr Finch. 

Cllr Warwick said his group had not filed a complaint because he was "aware about a large amount of complaints" related to the leader and "because of the cost and the large number, group leaders were asked by the chief executive (Monica Fogarty) to work together more constructively". 

Cllr Warwick added: "I believe he (Cllr Finch) has said sorry to Jan privately and I believe that he should apologise publicly to Jan.

"Everyone will have heard my statement in the chamber and I expect Councillor Finch to issue that apology."