Former Leicestershire County Council deputy leader David Sprason has defected from the Conservative Party and joined UKIP.
Coun Sprason has become the county's first UKIP councillor and has announced he intends to defend his Markfield, Desford and Thornton seat in May's election.
He was sacked by the party in January for giving a frank interview to the Leicester Mercury about his use of a council computer to watch a pornographic film in 2007.
He told the Mercury today: "I have always tried to open and honest and grown up about things. The Tories at County Hall didn't like that and they got rid of me.
"Recently I have been getting more frustrated both locally and nationally by the Conservatives.
"It has become increasingly apparent to me over recent months that a tired, old Conservative Party, which I've spent so many years defending, is failing to deliver for the people of Leicestershire.
"The more I speak to residents of my division, the more I realise that there is only one political party which now truly represents their views and aspirations, and that party is UKIP.
"UKIP believe in giving real democracy back to the voters whilst fighting to reduce Council Tax.
"UKIP are the only party who are truly opposed to HS2 and are fighting nationwide against the proliferation of Wind Turbines."
Councillor Sprason was welcomed into UKIP by party leader Nigel Farage, and by East Midlands MEP Roger Helmer who abandoned the Conservative Party to join UKIP just over a year ago.
Mr Helmer said "I'm delighted to welcome Councillor Sprason and look forward to working with him in the coming months as we make every effort to ensure that after May, we have more than just one UKIP County Councillor in Leicestershire."
