Leicester City Council leader steps down

Ross Willmott has announced his resignation as leader of Leicester City Council.

Willmott is to stand down to concentrate on his campaign as Labour parliamentary candidate for North West Leicestershire.

He made the announcement at the city's Labour group meeting on Tuesday night.

Willmott, who grew up in the area, was adopted as Labour’s candidate in 2008.

Willmott has been leader of the council's Labour group for 11 years and has been leader of the authority on-and-off for eight years.