Leicestershire County Council leader quits after leaked comments on redundancies and targeting women

The Reform UK leader of Leicestershire County Council has resigned from his role, following growing pressure over his leadership. Dan Harrison led the county council's first Reform UK administration following elections in May 2025. His resignation follows reports of deep divisions within his own party. Reform councillors reportedly held a vote at a private meeting last week on Mr Harrison's leadership - with him allegedly surviving by just one vote.

Comments allegedly made by Mr Harrison at an internal meeting on 27th October were leaked in recordings over the weekend on social media. According to a transcript, Mr Harrison discussed making 76 council-employed solicitors redundant and made comments about looking at '"female employees next", saying he wanted to decide "who to target". The former leader apologised earlier today in relation to those comments. He said: "These comments were made by me in a private meeting of the Leicestershire County Council Reform UK Group...

"I would like to apologise unreservedly to the staff and officers of the County Council for any hurt, distress or offence caused by the publication of these comments, which were made during a heated meeting with the expectation of privacy and confidentiality. "However, I would like to stress that these discussions were just that, and I have not given any instruction or direction to officers in these matters and that there has not been any discussion nor agreement on these issues with officer.

"I unequivocally reject any suggestion that staffing decisions are being taken based on gender. These comments made in that meeting were taken completely out of context." Dan Harrison led the county council's first Reform UK administration following elections in May 2025. Credit: Leicestershire County Council Just hours before his resignation, all 15 Tory councillors had signed a request for an extraordinary council meeting to remove Dan Harrison as leader.

They say they’ve lost confidence in his leadership following leaked recordings and concerns raised at conduct hearings. Deborah Taylor says leaked recordings of a Reform UK group meeting and concerns raised have left serious questions about Harrison’s judgement and honesty. In a statement following his resignation, Mr Harrison said : "It has been the honour of my life to lead the first Reform UK administration at County Hall following the county council elections in May 2025.

" "Since then, the council has made many great achievements - the lowest increase in council tax precept in over a decade, millions of pounds of debt repaid, putting the Council’s finances on a firmer footing. We also initiated the pioneering Efficiency Review, which will identify further areas where savings can be achieved, and services enhanced and improved in the future. "There’s still lots to be getting on with, including working with partners on making a success of the future Mayoral Strategic Authority for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

"Before the Council meets to elect a new leader, I will be handing over to my deputy, Kevin Crook who will become Acting Leader of the Council and Chairman of Cabinet. "I will continue to serve this Council to the very best of my ability and would like to place on record my grateful thanks to everyone at the Council during my time as leader."