Reform UK will seek to stay in charge of Warwickshire County Council despite leader's resignation

The interim leader of Warwickshire County Council insists Reform UK plans to stay in power despite a change at the top after less than six weeks.

The council announced on Wednesday June 25 that Councillor Rob Howard (Reform UK, Attleborough) would be standing down as leader – but not as a councillor – just 41 days after being elected to the role.

It leaves 18-year-old deputy Councillor George Finch (Reform UK, Bedworth Central) in the hot seat while the party goes through an internal process to decide who its next group leader, and therefore the candidate it proposes to lead the county, will be.