Two new Reform UK cabinet members have been announced for Leicestershire County Council.

The news follows days of speculation over the removal of Whitwick councillor Joseph Boam from the roles and strong criticism over Reform UK's handling of the matter.

Leader of the authority Dan Harrison has been accused of "poor leadership" and "spinning plates of chaos" by his opponents over his apparent lack of communication around the 22-year-old's exit.

Leader of the opposition Deborah Taylor claimed Councillor Harrison had not had "the courtesy" to keep other group leaders informed, despite him allegedly having told Cllr Taylor that he would update her on the matter following a Reform group meeting on Tuesday night (August 19). The LDRS' own attempts to discuss the matter with Cllr Harrison also went unanswered.

Now, Leicestershire County Council has announced that Kevin Crook, councillor for the ward of Glenfields, Kirby Muxloe and Leicester Forests, will be taking on the deputy leader role and will also head up the new heritage, libraries and adult learning portfolio. Councillor for Stoney Stanton and Croft Carl Abbott will be taking over as lead member for adult social care.

Announcing the new appointments, Cllr Harrison said: "We're a new administration, in place for around three months, and finding the right people for the job is very important. I'd like to thank Joseph for his efforts and helping to establish our new team.

"Adult social care deserves its own focus and I'm delighted to welcome Carl to the cabinet. Kevin brings a lot of experience and I'm pleased he's joining our leadership team."

No answers have still been given on why Cllr Boam is no longer in position, and no reason has been given for the days of silence following the breaking of the news of his departure over the weekend.

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Cllr Taylor told the LDRS that "all" the opposition group leaders on the council were "very disappointed" that Cllr Harrison "did not have the courtesy" to inform them of the changes in his cabinet. She added: "Indeed, [he] didn't have the courtesy to inform us he had sacked Mr Boam.

"He chose to leak to the press first. This adds a further lack of transparency from the leader and doesn't help build trusted relationships."

Cllr Boam has previously said: "I haven't stepped down from any role. I am no longer deputy leader or in cabinet. But have been offered a cabinet support role which I'm inclined to take."