The Leader of Cheshire East Council Michael Jones has announced his resignation at a meeting of the Cheshire East Conservative Group this evening, as a result of the controversy caused by the awarding of contracts to his physiotherapist.
Three contracts with a total value of £156,000 were awarded to Core Fit Ltd which is run by his personal physiotherapist Amanda Morris and delivers fitness classes in schools.
The contracts were awarded outside of normal contract procedure rules and a waiver notice, signed by senior officers, was described by Private Eye as a "barely literate justification for tearing up normal procedures".
Our source, who was at this evening's meeting, said "He told us all that at midday tomorrow there would be an announcement saying that he would be stepping down as Leader, effective from 31st December.
"He is staying as Councillor (for the Bunbury ward) so the Conservative Group will need to elect a new Conservative Group Leader and, because we have a majority on Cheshire East, that individual will become Leader of Cheshire East Council.
"If he steps down on the 31st, group rules say we have two weeks so a new Leader could be elected on the 14th January."
In his speech Michael Jones referred to 'blue on blue'. Our source explained "What Hilda Gaddum said has created an atmosphere of potential disagreement between Conservatives. His view was that the party was more important than the individual so he is stepping down.
"So many people are saying he doesn't need to stand down and should fight this but because of party unity he said I go."
Speaking to Arif Ansari, BBC North West Political Editor, on North West Tonight, last week the Mayor of Cheshire East said Cllr Michael Jones had "misled" the councillors over the contracts awarded to his physiotherapist.
Conservative Hilda Gaddum described his position as "untenable" because he had been "lobbying on behalf" of her company and called for an independent investigation.
Documents released to the BBC, as a result of a Freedom of Information request, showed that Michael Jones had written to the Chancellor and Tatton MP George Osborne, praising Core Fit's work - which he consulted Amanda Morris on before sending.
Responding to the calls for him to resign, Cllr Michael Jones wrote to the Cheshire East Conservative Group on 2nd December saying "After the tremendous news of last week, culminating in the huge HS2 announcement I am not surprised that the media have revisited my non involvement in the procurement.
"I shall not be resigning but thank the mayor for recognising the many good things I have achieved. I am disappointed, given that I vigorously supported her mayoralty to my group, at the comments made but that's Hilda for you.
"I am clear that I have not misled the Council."
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
It may, or may not, be that Councillor Jones is found to be guilty (or innocent) of that which he is accused of, but in the meantime can we please not have these unpleasant comments?
As to those who call for him not to be a Councillor; it is the voters who decide on that is it not?
I have no axe to grind for or against Councillor Jones; I have only met the man twice. But until chapter and verse is revealed, I will give him a 'fair crack of the whip'.
It's appointing the next one that presents the challenge.
Name a Leader of any council in office for more than a couple of years who was widely appreciated by voters.
Remember Coun Jones was re elected AFTER Lyme Green with an increased majority.
The people of Cheshire East chose him... he didn't choose himself.
That was our doing. We asked for more of the same.
Chances are CEC will now return to its old Paralysis by Analysis style where changing loo rolls requires a full council meeting and takes two years.
Can we reconvene here again in 18 months and compare notes on our new Leader?
However, there is nothing wrong (and indeed it is quite democratically appropriate) that the people he has "served" might express an opinion regarding his stewardship.
I shall certainly shed no tears or register any surprise at the news of his resignation.
Jones has performed above and beyond the call of duty -and that isn't a mortal sin!