THREE months after leaving the Labour Party to sit as an independent councillor Keith Crout has joined the Liberal Democrats.

He will now be part of the Liberal Democrat groups on both Watford Borough and Hertfordshire County Councils.

Councillor Crout was presented with his membership card at the weekend by Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Mark Oaten, son of Audrey Oaten, Hertfordshire County Councillor for the Tudor ward in Watford.

Watford-born Mr Oaten was in town to see Watford FC play Fulham.

Speaking about Mr Oaten, Councillor Crout said: "I was a local journalist when Mark was first starting out on his political career, so it is good to have a chance to renew an old friendship, this time as a member of the same political party."

Councillor Crout resigned from the Labour Party last September in protest against the Government's handling of the war in Iraq and the performance of the Labour Party in Watford.

He briefly sat as an Independent before making the decision to join the Liberal Democrat Party.

Keith said: "It was a painful decision to leave the Labour Party, but I felt I had no alternative.

Leader of the Watford Labour Party, councillor Geoff O'Connell, said: "I find it very difficult to understand why someone who has been a member of the Labour party all his life could take such a step.

"It seems retaining a seat is more important than political allegiances."