OPPOSITION council leaders have reacted to news that the leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has resigned from his position.

Cllr Ken Rhatigan has confirmed that he has resigned this morning (February 3) from his role as leader of the council, which will take effect immediately.

He said: “I have just informed the council officers in the last few hours that I am resigning from my role as leader of the council.

SEE MORE: Leader of Basingstoke Council resigns after more than two years in the role

“Now I am getting older there are family issues that I need to focus on and deal with. I think it is more important that a new leader has the time and chance to take over before the elections."

Cllr Gavin James, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said he was shocked to hear the news.

He said: “I am really surprised by the timing of his resignation as it is so close to elections but I fully understand that the role of council leader is very difficult at the moment and that family must always come first.

“I do wonder whether it’s to do with what’s been going on in Downing Street with Boris Johnson and his comments about Basingstoke becoming capital of the south.

“I don’t think it will make much of a difference to the day-to-day running of the council. I have always got on well with Ken and he has many good qualities, so I wish him all the best.”

Andrew McCormick, leader of the Labour group is also suprised.

He said: “It is a big shock but it has been a privilege to work with him and he has always been easy to talk to and we rarely had any confrontation. I will be very sorry to see him step down but family must always come first.

“I will be looking forward to working with Cllr Simon Bound as there is a lot of pressing work to do for Basingstoke.”

READ MORE: 'It’s not good enough': Parents react after failings found at Basingstoke's maternity unit

Meanwhile, Cllr Paul Harvey who leads the Independent group said he was "not surprised" because he was “completely out of step with the people of Basingstoke”.

He said: “He has been saying he wants Basingstoke to be the capital of the south and this is not what people want.

“We don’t need over 17,000 houses, they are wrong.

“We need a council with leadership and he has had a massive challenge and I don't believe the Conservatives can provide Basingstoke with the leadership it needs."

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