Reform UK Leicestershire council leader steps down after pressure

Summarised from 2 outlets · 7 reports · Updated 4 Nov, 06:17 · Archive

Dan Harrison has stepped down as leader of Leicestershire County Council following mounting pressure from colleagues and controversial leaked comments.

Dan Harrison stepped down as leader of Leicestershire County Council on 2 November after mounting pressure from within his own party and from opposition councillors. His deputy, Kevin Crook, is now acting leader, though all county councillors are to meet in future to discuss a permanent replacement.

The resignation came hours after the 15 Conservative councillors launched a formal bid to oust Harrison, calling for an extraordinary meeting to vote him out. The move followed leaked audio clips published on social media in which Harrison was heard discussing council redundancies and making controversial comments about staff. Harrison subsequently apologised "unreservedly" for the comments made during a Reform UK party meeting.

Conservative group leader Deborah Taylor said Harrison's exit does not draw a line under the affair. She acknowledged his resignation but insisted "there are still questions that deserve answers" and that the council must learn from what has happened. Labour leader Jewel Miah has called for parties to "gather together" and "put their differences aside", raising the possibility of a "rainbow coalition" to replace Reform UK's minority control.

How it is being reported

• How war of words could put Leicestershire's 'rainbow coalition' at risk after Reform boss quitsLeicestershire party leaders haven't most the most favourable comments about their opponentsLeicestershire Live · 4 Nov, 06:00
• How Reform UK left Leicestershire in leadership limbo after Dan Harrison quits top jobDan Harrison's exit follows mounting pressure from colleagues and leaked controversial commentsLeicestershire Live · 3 Nov, 15:07
• ‘Questions still deserve answers’ says opposition after Reform UK Leicestershire council leader quitsThe Conservatives say concerns should not ‘simply be forgotten’ after Dan Harrison stepped downLeicestershire Live · 2 Nov, 19:38
• Leicestershire's opposition leader says questions still need to be answered after Reform UK county council leader resignsThe Reform UK boss of Leicestershire County Council has announced he is stepping down.Harborough Mail · 2 Nov, 17:04
• Reform UK Leicestershire County Council leader Dan Harrison stepping down after controversial commentsIt follows controversial comments made as well as discontent among the rest of his partyLeicestershire Live · 2 Nov, 16:28
• 'It has been the honour of my life': Reform UK Leicestershire leader steps down after mounting pressureThe Reform UK leader of Leicestershire County Council has stepped down following pressure from councillors.Harborough Mail · 2 Nov, 16:12
• Calls grow for Reform UK Leicestershire leader to quit over controversial commentsThe Tories say they have 'lost confidence' in Reform UK's Dan HarrisonLeicestershire Live · 2 Nov, 13:05

In this story: Dan Harrison · Kevin Crook · Deborah Taylor · Leicestershire County Council · Reform UK · Leicestershire

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