Council leader to stand down

Cllr Colin Barrow has announced his intention to stand down as leader of Westminster Council.

He said: "I made the decision in the middle of last year to step down when I reached 60, to devote some time to writing and lecturing.

"2012 marks both my sixtieth year and four years as leader of the council, so it is the right time to make way for a successor.

He will stand down on 7 March.