Leicestershire's opposition leader says questions still need to be answered after Reform UK county council leader resigns
The Reform UK boss of Leicestershire County Council has announced he is stepping down.
Dan Harrison has announced he is stepping down as leader of the council after informing the chief executive of Leicestershire County Council, Jane Moore.
It follows growing pressure from opposition councillors and growing tensions in his party after they were asked last Tuesday (October 27) if they were happy with his leadership.
In a statement, Cllr Harrison said he stepped down following advice from his chief whip and deputy leader of the council.
He added: “It has been the honour of my life to lead the first Reform UK administration at County Hall following the county council elections in May 2025.
“Since then, the council has made many great achievements – the lowest increase in council tax precept in over a decade, millions of pounds of debt repaid, putting the Council’s finances on a firmer footing.
“We also initiated the pioneering Efficiency Review, which will identify further areas where savings can be achieved, and services enhanced and improved in the future.
“There’s still lots to be getting on with, including working with partners on making a success of the future Mayoral Strategic Authority for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
“Before the Council meets to elect a new leader, I will be handing over to my deputy, Kevin Crook, who will become Acting Leader of the Council and Chairman of Cabinet.
“I will continue to serve this Council to the very best of my ability and would like to place on record my grateful thanks to everyone at the Council during my time as leader.”
It follows leaked comments made by Cllr Harrison which surfaced following a private meeting of the council’s Reform UK group last week in which the council leader was heard saying “76 solicitors will be made redundant”, before adding: “What I want to look at now is the women.”
Cllr Harrison later confirmed he made the comments and said he wished to “apologise unreservedly to the staff and officers of the County Council for any hurt, distress or offence caused by the publication of these comments, which were made during a heated meeting with the expectation of privacy and confidentiality”.
Following the news and calls for Harrison to resign, Conservative opposition leader Deborah Taylor said questions still needed to be raised.
She added: “The serious concerns raised over recent days, particularly around the treatment of council employees and the comments contained in leaked recordings, left us feeling that his position had become untenable.
“His resignation brings an end to his leadership, but it does not mean those concerns should simply be forgotten. There are still questions that deserve answers, and it is important that the council learns from what has happened.
“I want to pay particular tribute to the hardworking officers of Leicestershire County Council, who continue to serve our residents professionally, often under considerable pressure. They deserve our respect and support, regardless of which political party is running the council.
“Now is the time to restore confidence, provide stability and ensure the council can get back to focusing on what really matters: delivering the services that the people of Leicestershire rely upon”