New councillor set to become county leader

NEWLY elected Reform councillor Andrew Husband is set to become the new leader of Durham County Council.

- BILL EDGAR Local Democracy Reporter

The member for Chester-le-Street North was elected by fellow councillors on Wednesday evening.

Former GB News presenter Darren Grimes, councillor for Annfield Plain and Tanfield, has been chosen as the party's deputy leader.

Reform UK swept to victory in May 2's local elections in County Durham by winning 65 seats and comfortably gaining overall control of the 98-seat council.

Within days they lost one of their number when new councillor Andrew Kilburn resigned after failing to declare his employment with the council.

But now their numbers have been restored to 65 after Paul Sexton, who was elected as an independent councillor for Chester-le-Street South, joined. And they could move to 66 if they win a by-election for Mr Kilburn’s Benfieldside seat.

Coun Husband, a Reform candidate at the 2024 General Election, said: “It’s an honour and a privilege to have been elected leader of the Reform UK group on Durham County Council.”