Bournemouth Council Leader Quits

Bournemouth Borough Council leader Peter Charon has resigned following a vote of no confidence by his own Conservative colleagues.

Councillor Charon has quit as the leader of the Tory group, but will stay on as council leader until February the 21st, when there will be a full council meeting.

Colleagues weren't happy about his leadership style, which had been described by some as 'confrontational' and 'abrasive'. He had been council leader since July 2010.

Councillor John Beesley will step in as an interim leader.

A new Conservative leader will be appointed at a meeting of the group on February the 13th, ahead of the big February 21st meeting.