Councillor Paul Cunningham has announced that he is stepping down as leader of the Salisbury City Council Conservative Group.

Cllr Cunningham, who represents Harnham West, has blamed work commitments for his decision to quit.

However, he will continue to sit on the council as a Conservative councillor.

Announcing his decision to step down on Tuesday July 27, Cllr Cunningham said: “I find that I am unable to give the role the time and attention that it deserves due to work commitments which unfortunately have become much more onerous in the few short weeks since the election.

“I feel it would be doing a disservice to my Conservative colleagues to continue in this role while I am unable properly to do it justice.

“I will of course continue to be a Conservative Councillor doing my very best on behalf of the electorate of Harnham West and all of Salisbury’s residents.”

The Conservative group is expected to select a new leader on Tuesday August 3.

Whoever is chosen to replace Cllr Cunningham will join the three other party leaders on Salisbury City Council: Cllr Annie Riddle (Independent), Cllr Ian Tomes (Labour) and Cllr Victoria Charleston (Lib Dems).

The group came together to provide “leadership and strategic direction” to the city council after no party managed to gain control of the local authority in May’s local elections.

They have vowed to work together and put party politics aside.

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