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Youngest council leader faces no confidence vote

Simon GilbertCoventry and Warwickshire political reporter
News imageBBC George Finch is looking directly at the camera smiling. He is wearing a navy pinstriped suit with a white shirt and a light blue tie. He is standing outside of the entrance to a building, in the background some steps and handrails can be seen, and behind them some automatic doors, above which is a sign that says Warwickshire County Council.BBC
Reform's George Finch has labelled the attempt to remove him a "political stunt"

The UK's youngest council leader is facing a vote of no confidence after being accused of bringing the authority "into disrepute".

Reform UK's George Finch, who leads Warwickshire County Council, was appointed last summer at the age of 19.

Green Party councillors called for a vote on Finch's position at the next full council meeting on 17 March, suggesting he has "abused the office of leader".

Finch has responded to the motion of no confidence by labelling it "a political stunt".

News imageGreen Party Jonathan Chilvers wears a burgundy patterned shirt with an open collar and a burgundy t-shirt underneath. He has short, dark blonde hair and is looking into the camera and smilingGreen Party
Warwickshire Green Party Group Leader Jonathan Chilvers said George Finch had "abused the office of leader"

Warwickshire Green Party group leader Jonathan Chilvers said the motion had been submitted due to incidents including a dispute with police over their handling of a case involving the rape of a 12-year-old girl, and a row with the council's chief executive, Monica Fogarty, over Pride flags.

Chilvers said: "George Finch has abused the office of leader of the council and time and again brought Warwickshire into disrepute.

"His repeated attacks on staff, partner institutions and use of his role for constant cheap and nasty political points scoring is unacceptable and violates rule of law, democratic norms and basic decency."

Finch labelled the move "chaos" and said it was being backed by other parties, such as the Liberal Democrats, Labour and Restore Britain councillors who recently defected from Reform, without any alternative being put forward

News imageWarwickshire County Council George Finch is wearing a navy suit jacket with a gold tie and pocket square. He appears to be looking off camera at somebody. To his right Monica Fogarty, who has shoulder length blonde hair and is wearing a leopard print top and a chunky chain necklace, looks towards Finch with a frown.Warwickshire County Council
Finch has been accused of attacking council Chief Executive Monica Fogarty (right) during a row over Pride flags

Finch said: "Those trying to remove me have offered no alternative council plan and no credible answer to what replaces the work already under way."

He added: "Residents can see what this is. It is not a serious alternative administration.

"It is an anti-Reform bloc held together by opposition to this administration and the change Warwickshire voted for."

If the Liberal Democrats, Greens, Labour and Restore Britain councillors support the motion of no confidence as expected, Finch's future will be in the hands of the Conservative group on the council.

If they support the motion or abstain, Reform would not have the numbers necessary to keep Finch in post.

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