THE LEADER of Darwen Town Council is set to be ousted from the role after quitting his political party.

The town’s mayor has called a special council meeting which could see a vote of no in confidence Trevor Maxfield, who left the For Darwen Party last week.

Coun Maxfield said he was unhappy with the way Blackburn with Dawen Borough Council was being run - and his resignation means he has also become an independent member of Darwen Town Council.

He said: “I’m the leader now, but I probably won’t be after the next meeting.

"I suspect there will be some kind of vote of no confidence in me.

"I can’t predict what will happen but if I was a betting man that’s what I would go for. It’s not something I would like but I can see it happening.”

Lib Dem mayor Paul Browne confirmed the meeting would take place on Tuesday, August 24, adding: “I don’t think he should be leader any more.”

No party now has a majority on the town council - there are five Liberal Democrat councillors, four For Darwen, one Independent, and Labour and the Conservatives have one each.

Coun Maxfield, who is a Labour Party member, insists he wants to remain Independent ‘for the time being’. But it is likely the Lib Dems will now make a move to take over having gained For Darwen’s Martin McCaughran in June.

Coun Browne added: “I can’t work out why Trevor’s done it. He’s a good friend of mine and I was with him the night before it went in the Telegraph. When I saw the paper the next day I rang him and asked why he didn’t mention it. I told him he had put us in a right pickle.”

Meanwhile, on the borough council, the Labour group and the ruling coalition will both hold meetings tonight. (TUES) Coun Maxfield’s departure from the coalition has left control of Blackburn with Darwen on a knife edge.