Reform UK councillors have selected their candidate to take over as leader of Leicestershire County Council following the resignation of Cllr Dan Harrison after controversial audio was leaked.

Leicestershire County Council's Reform UK group has chosen Cllr Kevin Crook as their candidate for the council leader role after a meeting on Tuesday (November 10).

That means Cllr Crook, who is the current acting leader, could take over permanently from Cllr Dan Harrison after he stepped down in November 2 following leaked comments during a private meeting.

Cllr Kevin Crook said in a statement: "I'm delighted to be taking up the reins as the new leader. I'd like to thank my colleagues for entrusting me with their total support.

"It's humbling to receive the support from every member. There's much to be getting on with, but I'm looking forward to the future and leading this Reform Administration from the front."

A full council meeting will take place on December 2, during which councillors will vote on who they believe should be the new council leader.

Leicestershire County Council comprises of 23 Reform councillors, followed by 15 Conservatives, 11 Liberal Democrats, three Labour councillors, one Green Party councillor, one Restore Britain councillor, and one independent.

Cllr Andrew Hamilton-Gray, Reform's chief whip at Leicestershire County Council told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) Cllr Crook was "the best man for the job".

He added: "We've had some big wins that have bolstered our position. Dan [Harrison] did a fantastic job as leader, and Kevin has shadowed Dan for the last 12 months.

"It's really positive, and we have a unified approach going forward".

The LDRS challenged Cllr Hamilton-Gray over Cllr Harrison's comments after leaked audio revealed him saying that he was looking to sack 76 council solicitors, calling them "incompetent" before saying he was going to "look at … the women".

The Reform top boss said he felt Cllr Harrison's comments were taken "out of context" and that there had been a "witch hunt" against the former leader after he took over.

"You don't get through 50 years of politics without creating enemies," he added.

He also said he wanted to "reassure [council] officers" that Cllr Harrison's comments "didn't reflect the group".

Cllr Deborah Taylor, leader of the Conservative Party opposition group, told the LDRS that "ongoing discussions" were ongoing within the party about their next steps going into the December meeting.

She added: "I think there's a big mountain to climb and I think they are still a very divided group.

"They need whoever leader to bring stability back."

Liberal Democrat leader of the county council, Cllr Michael Mullaney, said his group would not be voting for Reform or Conservative candidates at the upcoming council meeting.

He added: "Obviously we have philosophical differences with Reform, which means we wouldn't support them.

"We've never voted before with them, and we won't vote for the Conservatives either."

Labour group leader Cllr Jewel Miah said the party wouldn't support a Reform leader as Reform had caused "chaos" over the past 18 months.

He added: "We've lost a leader and we've lost several Cabinet members because of it.

"The morale of staff in the county council is quite low as well.

"It's clearly up to one of those two parties to move and swallow their pride for the people of Leicestershire because people won't forget.

"We've got elections in May next year, and people will hold them to account".