THE Conservative Group leader has stepped down after being ousted from his role as Colchester Council boss.

Paul Dundas lost his seat in Stanway to Lib Dem Tracy Arnold who gained 400 more votes than her rival on Thursday.

Mr Dundas has now moved aside as group leader allowing former council business boss Darius Laws to take the reins in a bid to get the Tories back into power.

Mr Laws previously served as the group leader when Dennis Willetts stood down in December 2017, before Mr Dundas was appointed.

Gazette: New role - Darius Laws has been named as Colchester Conservatives' new leaderNew role - Darius Laws has been named as Colchester Conservatives' new leader

The 39-year-old praised his predessor and took a swipe at the other parties claiming they united to beat the Tories.

He said: “Paul Dundas was an outstanding council leader and an outstanding councillor.

“An apparent co-ordinated alliance against all Conservatives which saw not all parties fielding candidates was effective and Colchester will now return to the days of multiple parties in coalition.

“I shall keep their feet to fire and make sure they deliver value for money council services, protect our beautiful countryside and take a holistic view of regeneration for the historic town centre of Colchester.

“My children motivate my involvement because when they are my age I want them and the rest of the country to speak about Colchester like we do about Viking York and Roman Bath.”