The political fallout began when audio surfaced of Dan Harrison asserting that 76 council solicitors were incompetent and would face redundancy, alongside remarks concerning female staff. Facing mounting criticism and calls from the Conservative opposition to quit, Harrison reversed his initial refusal to resign after conferring with deputy Kevin Crook and whip Andrew Hamilton-Gray. Harrison offered an apology, claiming the recordings were framed out of context, and confirmed he will remain an elected councillor for Ashby-de-la-Zouch. The authority continues to operate as a Reform UK minority administration.
Key points
Dan Harrison has resigned as council leader but will retain his seat as councillor for As…: Dan Harrison has resigned as council leader but will retain his seat as councillor for Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
Reform UK continues to run Leicestershire County Council as the largest party within a mi…: Reform UK continues to run Leicestershire County Council as the largest party within a minority administration.
Dan Harrison apologized for his recorded comments regarding staff redundancies while insi…: Dan Harrison apologized for his recorded comments regarding staff redundancies while insisting they were taken out of context.
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The Reform UK leader of Leicestershire County Council has announced he is standing down after comments he made about staff redundancies were leaked online.
Dan Harrison announced on Monday that he would be stepping down from the role he has held since May 2025.
He said he had made the decision after taking advice from senior Reform colleagues, and added deputy council leader Kevin Crook had taken over as acting leader.
It comes after Harrison had apologised 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.
In a statement, Harrison said it had been the "honour of his life" to lead the county council's first Reform administration.
Harrison has said he will remain as a councillor, representing the Ashby-de-la-Zouch division.
'Not doing a good job'
The Conservative opposition at County Hall had called for Harrison to resign after his comments about staff were leaked.
In the recording, Harrison said: "There's 76 solicitors…
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