Council leader resigns amid claims he abused women

A Conservative council leader has resigned amid claims that he kicked, punched, spat at and throttled women.

A BBC investigation heard accounts from five women about Jonathan Nunn, who had led West Northamptonshire Council since 2021.

The accusations, which the 59-year-old "strenuously denies", included threatening or controlling behaviour.

In a statement, he said it "was incredibly difficult to take this decision".

A long-serving Tory councillor, Mr Nunn was elected to lead the county's newly formed unitary authority in 2021.

He said he was "extremely proud of my achievements as leader of the council during a challenging time for local government and since the council was formed three years ago".

"West Northants Council is in a very good place," he added.

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