Council leader resigns after party investigation

Adrian England said he had decided it is "right" for him to step down "following the findings of the regional investigation", which have not been publicly disclosed

A council leader is set to stand down following accusations his administration mishandled allegations of sexual harassment against the authority's previous leader.

Adrian England has resigned as Liberal Democrat group leader on Dacorum Borough Council in Hertfordshire, but will remain as a councillor after the conclusion of a regional investigation by the party into the group.

England, who replaced Ron Tindall in May 2024, said he had decided it was "right" to step down "following the findings of the regional investigation", which have not yet been publicly disclosed.

Sally Symington has been named the new group leader, and is in the frame to become the new leader of the authority, with more details expected after a full council meeting later.

Lib Dem Sally Symington is in line to be elected as the new leader of the authority

In September, eight female Lib Dem councillors resigned from the party's council group, after accusing England of "failing to deal with allegations of bullying and harassment, including sexual harassment". 

It meant the Lib Dems lost their majority, although they remain the largest party.

Allegations against Tindall were rejected by the council's standards committee, despite an independent report concluding that he was more likely than not to have "sexually harassed" a councillor who "didn't feel comfortable being left alone in a room" with him. 

After the resignations, the Lib Dems launched a regional investigation into the group, and a party spokesperson said: "Following the findings of the investigation, Adrian England has announced his decision to stand down as leader."

They added: "As a result of the findings and evidence about his conduct, Ron Tindall has been barred from standing as a candidate in the upcoming county council elections and remains suspended from the local Liberal Democrat group.

"These serious allegations will now be carefully considered by the party's national independent complaints process to decide what further disciplinary action should be taken."

Councillor 'to focus on borough ward'

Tindall told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he had already decided not to stand again for his county council seat.

He said the decision was not related to "internal politics", but his age and desire to focus on his Dacorum Borough Council ward.

He denies all the allegations against him.

Symington was the party's parliamentary candidate for South West Hertfordshire in the 2019 and 2024 general elections. She said: "I am proud to have the support of the Liberal Democrat group. We will continue to listen to and stand up for local residents."

England said: "I look forward to working with my colleagues and with Sally as our new leader."

Two of the councillors who resigned from the party's group, Lara Pringle and Sheron Wilkie, will also have complaints against them considered by the party's independent complaints process. 

Wilkie was an approved candidate for the upcoming elections but has now been barred from standing for the party.