DISGRACED Wyre Council leader, Alan Vincent, has been replaced by his local Conservative party colleagues just weeks after being suspended from council.

The 33 members of Wyre's controlling Tory group voted Staina ward councillor - Russell Forsyth - as their new head during a party meeting on Monday, November 1.

The Social Environment Portfolio Holder replaces former council leader, Vincent, who stood down after being given a six-month suspension from council duty following a hearing by the Adjudication Panel for England on October 14.

As reported in The Citizen (October 21), the solicitor was found to have committed misconduct after acting as legal representative for a taxi driver during a council Licensing Committee meeting in January 2003.

Cllr Forsyth must now wait until a meeting of full council to see if the remaining 12 Wyre councillors confirm him as council leader over current deputy, Cllr Jim Lawrenson, on November 11.

But says he is looking forward to stepping into his new role as local Tory leader and has confirmed he intends to retain his new title during party's annual meeting next year.

He said: "My election as leader of the Wyre Conservatives shows great confidence from the other party members and that, in itself, is very encouraging.

"It's very sad that such a great councillor such as Alan Vincent has had to stand down for six months.

"But I'm sure Alan fully accepts the ruling of the hearing and is ready to sit out the next six months until his return to council.

"In the meantime I'm looking forward to serving as local party leader and fully intend to remain in this role long-term."