The chair of Warwickshire County Council has stepped down after being labelled a "rogue landlord" by a neighbouring authority.

Cllr Ed Harris has had two six-bed houses of multiple occupation (HMOs), also known as shared houses, closed by Tamworth Borough Council amid "serious safety failures".

The Reform UK councillor previously said he would not step down, but has now confirmed he will hang up his chains and will stand as an independent councillor while the matter is investigated.

"It has been an honour to serve as chairman of Warwickshire County Council," Cllr Harris said in a statement.

"A recent news story has been an unfair distraction of the great work of our council and its people.

"Whilst this matter is looked into, I feel it is my noble duty not to allow my chains of office to be put through a process.

"Therefore with immediate effect I am resigning the office of chairman.

"I have also written to the Leader of Warwickshire County Council to advise him that whilst the matter is investigated I will be resigning the whip and will sit as an independent.

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"I would like to thank colleagues across the chamber for their support and for electing me to office. I will continue to serve my residents in Baddesley & Dordon and support the council with all its work to improve the lives of Warwickshire residents."

The official announcement said inspections of the houses in the Stonydelph area of Tamworth flagged problems including "no central heating or hot water, poor fire doors and no smoke detection systems, inadequate cooking facilities (and) unsafe access to gardens".

"Multiple other safety failures" were highlighted alongside both "illegally" operating without licences.

"Further enforcement action in relation to these properties" is still under consideration.

Following Cllr Harris' resignation as chair, council leader Cllr George Finch added: "I have been informed that Cllr Edward Harris has tendered his resignation as chairman of Warwickshire County Council with immediate effect.

"Cllr Harris will no longer sit as a Reform councillor and will be sitting as an independent member while this matter is investigated.

"I want to thank Cllr Harris for the service given in the chairman's role.

"It would be inappropriate to comment on the details while the proper process is ongoing, and I would urge others not to speculate." 

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Four local MP's had written to Cllr Finch demanding Cllr Harris be removed from his position.

Labour MP for Warwick and Leamington Matt Western said: "The title of 'slum landlord' comes to mind.

"He's sitting in one of the most prominent positions at our county council and should uphold the standards expected of him.

"This is not leadership nor the behaviour that local residents should expect from their local leader."

Fellow Warwickshire MP's Rachel Taylor, Jodie Gosling and John Slinger have also signed the letter.

Cllr Harris previously said of Tamworth Borough Council's statement "not all of those facts are presented in the correct light" and that there was "much more context".

Tamworth Borough Council also alleged that Cllr Harris and agents Touchstone had "repeatedly failed to take action on warnings and advice from the council to address the problems", which he also disputed.

The councillor for Baddesley & Dordon denied any "direct relationship" with Touchstone, stating that appointment had been made by the mortgage company involved with one of the properties.

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