Council boss calls for stability after leader quits

The new acting Reform UK leader of Leicestershire County Council has said he wants to bring "stability and continuity" amid accusations of divisions and infighting in his party.

Kevin Crook has taken up the top political post at County Hall after Dan Harrison quit on Monday, following comments he made about staff redundancies that were leaked online.

Harrison resigned after being recorded saying 76 council solicitors would be made redundant, branding them "incompetent", before saying "what I want to look at now is the women", in remarks which were then released on social media.

Crook said he now wanted to focus on day-to-day provision of council services.

Opposition councillors said Reform's minority administration under Harrison was "chaotic, deeply divided, and thoroughly unstable", but Crook has insisted the party will be united under his leadership.

"I'd like to thank the former leader for his service since May 2025," Crook said.

"While the leadership has changed, I want residents and staff to know that our commitment to Leicestershire has not."

Crook added: "My number one priority is providing stability and delivering for the people of Leicestershire.

"Stability and continuity is key. With a united team around us, the future looks positive.

"The cabinet and I met this morning and we are united in our priorities: sound finances, low council tax, making every pound go further, fixing potholes, driving the economy forward and supporting businesses, investing in Leicestershire's rich heritage and supporting communities to tackle flooding."

"There's much to be getting on with and we're making real progress.

"Just last week, the government announced plans for a new mayoral strategic authority, unlocking much-needed funding and powers.

"And, importantly, an expansion of the city's boundaries has been withdrawn."

Harrison's comments were made during a behind-closed-doors Reform group meeting, in which his leadership was discussed following three unsuccessful council by-election campaigns.

The former leader told the BBC there had been some "disenchantment" with the 23-strong Reform group.

He had also apologised for the leaking of his remarks, saying they were made "in the expectation of privacy and confidentiality" and taken out of context.

Harrison said he rejected "any suggestion that staffing decisions are being taken based on gender" - but declined to explain or clarify what his remarks about women meant.

Jewel Miah, leader of the authority's Labour group, said: "Dan Harrison's resignation marks the inevitable end of a chaotic, deeply divided, and thoroughly unstable administration.

"For months, the people of Leicestershire have watched the Reform-led executive prioritise internal infighting over the vital public services our communities rely on.

"Leicestershire needs stability, serious leadership, and a council entirely focused on delivering for its residents.

"While a change at the top is a necessary first step, it does not erase the deep institutional questions left behind."

Michael Mullaney, leader of the council's Liberal Democrat group, said: "What he [Harrison] said was totally wrong and he's apologised for it.

"There seems to be a lot of division in the Reform group. What we need now is serious leadership at the council. It is responsible for some vital services.

"What we don't need is internal bickering at the top of the council."

The Conservative opposition group had triggered a vote to try to oust Harrison, before he confirmed he would step down.

Tory group leader Deborah Taylor said Harrison's position had become untenable.

"We need stability back in the council," she said. "Just the change of someone at the top of Reform doesn't change the culture - the leaks, the infighting, the complaints."

Crook will remain as acting leader until the next full council meeting in early December.

At that meeting, all councillors will vote on who should be the long-term leader of the authority.

Any Reform leadership candidate will need the support of members outside the party, as it does not command a majority in the chamber.

The council has 23 Reform councillors, 15 Conservatives, 11 Liberal Democrat members, three Labour councillors, one Green Party, one Restore Britain member as well as an independent.

If a candidate from another party wins, Reform would lose control of the council.

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