Reform UK picks ex-police officer to lead council

Reform UK has chosen a retired constabulary serviceman to pb Lincolnshire County Council.

Councillor Sean Matthews, who represents Tattershall Castle, spent 25 years successful the Metropolitan Police earlier leaving successful 2018.

His enactment took power of the assembly from the Conservatives aft winning 44 of the 77 seats successful an predetermination connected 1 May.

Matthews said it was "an honour and a privilege" to go the caller person and pledged to present connected "a wide mandate for superior change".

Councillor Rob Gibson volition service arsenic Matthews' deputy.

Reform UK enjoyed a treble occurrence successful the elections, with Dame Andrea Jenkyns winning the contention to go the archetypal politician of Greater Lincolnshire.

"What we person achieved present is incredible. From a lasting commencement we present person afloat power of the assembly and an fantabulous Greater Lincolnshire mayor," said Matthews.

He volition instrumentality implicit arsenic person of the assembly from the Conservatives' Martin Hill, who led the authorization for 20 years.

Hill, who retained his Folkingham Rural seat, has stepped down arsenic Tory radical person successful favour of Councillor Richard Davies, citing the request for "fresh blood".

The afloat assembly volition conscionable connected 23 May.