He was found guilty of the harassment of his ex-business partner James (Jim) Meadows and his family after a day-long trial last week.

Cllr Drury (pictured), 61, of Clifford Drive, Lache, co-owned Chester Mobility Ltd with Mr Meadows, of Longfield Avenue, Upton.

The dispute arose after Mr Meadows resigned and admitted taking money from the business, saying it was an advance on his dividend but which Drury regarded as embezzlement.

Chester, Ellesmere Port and Neston Magistrates Court heard Cllr Drury threatened to kill Mr Meadows and harassed him and his family with phone calls, sent a copy of an email through his letterbox and visited his house.

Following the trial Cllr Drury wrote a letter of resignation to Cllr Brian Crowe, Conservative Party chairman in Chester.

Cllr Drury showed the Leader a copy of the letter and said: "I am resigning from the Conservative Party but I'm still going to be a councillor, perhaps as an Independent Conservative.

"It's important that you play the team.

"I'm just Max Drury. I help my customers in the day and my constituents at night.

"I'm always honourable and I always care."

Cllr Drury is a city council member for Curzon and Westminster ward and has also been elected to represent the City division on the shadow Cheshire West and Chester Council.

In a statement from the City of Chester Conservative Association, city council leader Cllr Margaret Parker and Cllr Mike Jones, leader of the new Cheshire West and Chester Shadow Authority, said the Conservative whip on both local authorities had been withdrawn from Cllr Drury.

It said: "Mr Drury has also been asked to resign from the Conservative
Party.

"He is considering his options. Meanwhile a process has now begun to expel him from the party."

Cllr Crowe said: "Chester Conservatives quite rightly expects its elected members to act and perform to a very high standard.

"It is clear from the judge's comments and the evidence heard in court that Cllr Drury fell far short of what is expected."

During the trial District Judge Nicholas Sanders heard Cllr Drury told Mr Meadows: "You are going to be dead by the weekend."

When questioned, Cllr Drury said he meant Mr Meadows would be dead because of a drinking problem.

Cllr Drury also threatened to get his two brothers from Wrexham to kill Mr Meadows.

During police interview Drury said on tape: "I'm a city councillor. I'm above reproach.

"I'm a councillor, not a yobbo."

Drury was fined £350, with costs of £600, ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge and made subject to a two year restraining order which means he cannot have any contact with the Meadows.

Drury was also arrested in July and faces allegations of public order offences.

He is due to report back to Cheshire Police on Saturday.