Westminster council leader resigns after clash: 'Political disagreements' fuelled power struggle
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE Conservative leader of Westminster City Council resigned yesterday after a power struggle with officials provoked a revolt within his own party. David Weeks, who succeeded Dame Shirley Porter two years ago, said that his resignation was the 'result of political disagreements over my approach to the council's management'.
He stepped down after a heated meeting of Tory councillors on Monday night at which his leadership of the London council, one of the most controversial in Britain, was criticised. His bitter power struggle with Mervyn Montacute, the council's managing director, whom Mr Weeks wanted to remove, particularly worried councillors.
The dispute came to a head in April when senior council officials raided Mr Weeks's offices on the orders of Mr Montacute to see if council employees or resources were being used for political purposes. Some documents were taken away. A council spokesman yesterday said they included 'begging letters for Tory party funds'. BBC's Newsnight last night said that one letter was sent to a council contractor, the market research agency MORI.
Mr Weeks, 46, was deputy leader to Dame Shirley from 1983 to 1991 when Westminster was noted for its aggressively Thatcherite policies. In 1987 the council sold three cemeteries to a company for 5p as part of a cost-cutting campaign. But the privatisation deal backfired and last year the council bought them back for 15p, but had to accept an expensive maintenance agreement.
Further controversy is likely in September with the publication of of a four-year investigation into allegations that the Conservatives manipulated council house sales to ensure that they won elections. John Magill, the District Auditor, seized papers relating to the allegations, said to involve millions of pounds, from Westminster City Hall earlier this year.
Labour claims the Tories forced Mr Weeks's hand partly to get rid of a man so closely associated with Dame Shirley. Peter Bradley, Labour's deputy leader, said: 'This is a typically efficient and cynical Tory exercise in damage limitation. He was disposed of so the Tories can claim to be squeaky clean when the District Auditor's report comes out.'
Simon Milton, Mr Weeks's deputy, will act as Tory leader until a successor is elected.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments