A COUNCIL leader denies he has sacked a trusted lieutenant who has been jettisoned from the executive.

Cllr Roger Habgood has been stripped of the planning policy and transportation portfolio on Taunton Deane Borough Council.

It is believed Mr Habgood was summoned to a meeting yesterday (Wednesday) when leader Cllr John Williams informed him he was being replaced.

Mr Habgood, who represents the Bradford-on-Tone ward, had been a member of the executive since 2015.

It is unknown what sparked the decision to dump him from the Conservatives' inner circle of councillors at the Deane House.

There are rumours the two men fell out over a difference of opinion concerning Mr Williams's desire for the council to fund a new hotel building at Firepool.

Mr Habgood does not support the plans and rebelled against the ruling group as a final decision was deferred at a meeting earlier this month.

Somerset County Gazette:

He recently retweeted a message from Kit Chapman celebrating the decision to defer the proposals. 

Mr Williams told the County Gazette: "He's not been sacked.

"It was time for a change. The Government's just done it (referring to the resignations of David Davis and Boris Johnson).

"I've told him he did a very good job."

Richard Parrish, a former Mayor who has previously sat on the executive, has been appointed to replace Mr Habgood.

We have been unable to contact Mr Habgood so far today.

He posted a further tweet yesterday which said: "Long very interesting day!!" along with a photo of him enjoying a pint of cider.

Somerset County Gazette: