New council leader named after predecessor convicted

Samantha Deakin has been named the new leader of Ashfield District Council after the authority's previous leader was convicted of fraud and tax evasion.

Jason Zadrozny was found guilty last week and announced his resignation as leader the following day.

Deakin, who represents Sutton Central and New Cross for the Ashfield Independents, was elected as Zadrozny's replacement at a meeting on Monday by 21 votes to one, with one abstention.

Deakin declined the BBC's request for an interview.

Speaking during the meeting, she said she did not seek the job out of any political ambition and that she does not intend to stand at the next local elections in May.

"I stand here tonight with a very clear understanding of the circumstances in which I take on this responsibility," she said.

"We've had some really difficult days as a district, as a team, and as individuals."

"I know people will have questions, I know people will have different views, and I know that at moments like this there can be a temptation in politics to be consumed by personalities, arguments and events. I don't intend to do that," she added.

She was the only nomination for leader.

Reform UK councillors walked out of the meeting during the leadership debate.

Zadrozny was accused of setting up a fake heritage group to defraud Nottinghamshire County Council out of thousands of pounds.

Prosecutors also alleged he failed to pay tax on four rental properties.

The 46-year-old, who served as an Ashfield Independents councillor on the county council, was found guilty of nine counts of fraud and four counts of tax evasion.

Zadrozny is still a councillor but was not present for the full council meeting.

He was, however, briefly present for a cabinet meeting held beforehand.

In a statement issued last week, he said he was "deeply disappointed by the outcome" of the trial, but that he respects the court and the "important role of the jury in our justice system".

He also apologised for the impact on residents in the district and staff at the council.

Under UK law, a person can be disqualified from standing for or holding office as a local councillor for five years if they are convicted of an offence and receive a jail sentence of three months or more.

Zadrozny is due to be sentenced on 27 December and has been warned he is at risk of an "immediate custodial sentence".

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