Statement from Lib Dem Group on David Parsons

Throughout this long and drawn out saga caused by Mr Parsons' refusal to act with integrity and dignity we have maintained the view that Mr Parsons should resign.

We agree 100% with the standards board's open and transparent investigation of the allegations made by Lib Dem County Councillor Bill Boulter against Mr Parsons, and we are pleased that the damning report confirms our suspicions and validates our calls for him to resign back in February.

The fact that the Standards Committee report has shown Mr Parsons has, as Leader of the Council, a stunning level of arrogance, a complete refusal to accept responsibility and that his explanations and excuses do not stand up to proper scrutiny, reinforces the Lib Dem view that this position is now untenable.

Dr Sarah Hill, Deputy Leader said: "This report has shown the full scale of Mr Parsons breach of the Members Code of Conduct and his subsequent decline from the darling of the Conservative party to the pariah of conservative principles of integrity and morality. If this was me I would be completely ashamed

"Clearly Mr Parsons has to accept that his position as leader is now completely untenable, and the Conservative group, and the wider Conservative party need to face up to their responsibilities to force Mr Parsons out. Many Conservative Councillors have talked about 'innocent till proven guilty' and today's meeting has produced more than enough evidence of guilt."

We therefore strongly believe that Mr Parsons should resign, so that the process of rebuilding the Councils reputation can begin."