BOLTON Council leader Cliff Morris is facing calls to resign his position.

Conservative councillors are calling on the Labour leader to stand down from his position on various grounds — including what they believe was a “serious error of judgement” regarding a decision not to reveal the name of Cllr Ismail Ibrahim as the Labour member who twice failed to pay council tax on time.

The Tories will take fire at Cllr Morris during Wednesday’s full council meeting via a question from Heaton and Lostock councillor Bob Allen and a motion from Astley Bridge councillor John Walsh.

Cllr Allen’s question will focus on the handling of the situation regarding Cllr Ibrahim’s council tax affairs.

He will say: “Following his serious error of judgement in choosing to use tax payer’s money in the courts to keep the name of his Labour member a secret in the face of the Freedom of Information Request from the Bolton News will the Leader of the Council now do the honourable thing and resign?”

After answering this, Cllr Morris will then face a motion from Cllr Walsh, who will say that he believes the current council leadership is ill-equipped to help Bolton benefit from the powers being devolved to the area from central Government.

The motion will state: “In view of the failure of so many of Labour’s policies in Bolton in recent years there are serious doubts amongst the public that Labour councillors can deliver for Bolton the wide opportunities and full benefits afforded by the Conservative Government’s devolved powers under the City Deal.

“This Council believes that new political leadership and a fresh approach is needed.”

Cllr Morris says he will not be stepping down and said he will be prepared to respond to the comments in full at Wednesday’s meeting.