The leader of Barking and Dagenham London Borough Council has announced he is standing down from the role after 10 years.
First elected as a councillor in 2010, Darren Rodwell has served on London Councils’ executive and chaired the Local Government Association’s policy boards on housing and net zero.
He had been due to stand as a parliamentary candidate but withdrew in June after an allegation about his personal conduct was made against him.
Cllr Rodwell ‘utterly’ refuted the allegation, which involved an accusation of sexual harrassment. It has also been dismissed by the Labour Party.
In a statement last week, Cllr Rodwell said: ‘While I am obviously relieved to put this incident behind me, it has been an incredibly stressful time, which has been particularly upsetting for my family, who are still living with the consequences.’
Barking and Dagenham LBC said Cllr Rodwell had transformed the borough as leader, securing opportunities including two new film studios, the Future Youth Zone, London’s only women’s museum, the Thames Clipper Service and a new train station at Barking Riverside.
He will continue to serve as a councillor.
