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Southampton council leader Richard Williams resigns after 'cover-up' | Southampton council leader Richard Williams resigns after 'cover-up' |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The leader of Southampton City Council has resigned after an inquiry found he did not give "the whole story" over the resignation of one of his cabinet. | The leader of Southampton City Council has resigned after an inquiry found he did not give "the whole story" over the resignation of one of his cabinet. |
Richard Williams admitted a press release about his ex-efficiency and improvement chief Keith Morrell resigning on health grounds was false. | Richard Williams admitted a press release about his ex-efficiency and improvement chief Keith Morrell resigning on health grounds was false. |
During a heated extraordinary council meeting on Thursday, he announced he was resigning from the authority. | During a heated extraordinary council meeting on Thursday, he announced he was resigning from the authority. |
His Labour colleague Councillor Jacqui Rayment has taken over as leader. | His Labour colleague Councillor Jacqui Rayment has taken over as leader. |
Mr Williams, who had been expected to resist calls to go, told members: "I reiterate my apology in light of the mistakes I made. | Mr Williams, who had been expected to resist calls to go, told members: "I reiterate my apology in light of the mistakes I made. |
"I am now stepping down from the authority and submit my resignation." | "I am now stepping down from the authority and submit my resignation." |
He walked out of the debating chamber with the meeting still in progress. | He walked out of the debating chamber with the meeting still in progress. |
'Stunned' | 'Stunned' |
The inquiry found Mr Williams had persuaded his former cabinet member to pretend he was resigning on health grounds, when in fact it was due to a disagreement in policy. | |
Councillor Royston Smith, leader of the Conservative group, who had been calling for Mr Williams's resignation, said: "I am surprised Councillor Williams has done this. | Councillor Royston Smith, leader of the Conservative group, who had been calling for Mr Williams's resignation, said: "I am surprised Councillor Williams has done this. |
"This did not have to get to this stage." | "This did not have to get to this stage." |
Councillor Maureen Turner, from the Liberal Democrats, said: "It should never have gone on as long as this. We feel the sadness of the former councillor." | Councillor Maureen Turner, from the Liberal Democrats, said: "It should never have gone on as long as this. We feel the sadness of the former councillor." |
Mr Morrell, who is now part of the Labour Against the Cuts group, apologised for his role in the matter. | Mr Morrell, who is now part of the Labour Against the Cuts group, apologised for his role in the matter. |
He added: "[I] confirm here today my determination to carry on as a councillor whom [constituents] can have trust and on whom they can depend." | |
Mrs Rayment, who was also investigated, said she was "stunned" and added: "I'd like to pay tribute to Richard for acting honourably and leaving the council today. | |
"I am humbled to have been elected until the council's AGM. | |
"It's a sad day for Southampton politics, but the work carries on. The administration has a clear vision for Southampton which we will continue to work towards." | |
The independent inquiry concluded the behaviour of Mr Morrell, Mr Williams and the then deputy leader Mrs Rayment fell below national guidelines of openness and honesty in public life - known as the Nolan principles. | The independent inquiry concluded the behaviour of Mr Morrell, Mr Williams and the then deputy leader Mrs Rayment fell below national guidelines of openness and honesty in public life - known as the Nolan principles. |
But it did not find any evidence of maladministration, injustice or that any criminal offence had taken place. | But it did not find any evidence of maladministration, injustice or that any criminal offence had taken place. |
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