Conservative leader of Shropshire Council resigns and reported to police for misconduct in public office

The Conservative leader of Shropshire Council has resigned as a councillor and director of a council-owned company amid accusations of misconduct.

Cllr Keith Barrow was investigated by a firm of solicitors on behalf of the council after he was reported to their standards board by UKIP councillor Dave Tremellen for failing to declare an interest in the appointment of a firm of accountants for the council's IP&E company. The investigation concluded that although he had acted improperly in failing to declare that the accountants being appointed were his personal accountants he didn't exert any undue influence.

Barrow unexpectedly resigned yesterday before news of him being reported to West Mercia Police for misconduct in public office was made public. We understand that a second referral to the standards committee was due to be made yesterday on a related matter.