Tory leader Fred Pugh has decided to step down at the next local elections. He cited the failure of the Conservative Group to back his spirited defence of Rik Willis's comments about Zimbabwe. "What has it come to when a man can't speak freely about what he believes in. Call a brutal apatheid regime benevolent and they call you a racist. What a world!"

Deputy leader of the Conservatives on Reading Borough Council, Cllr Andrew Cumpsty said: "I owe Fred a great debt of gratitude. Without his unequivocal support for the Sutton carpet-bagger, I'd have a real fight on my hands to become group leader. Now it's a shoe in."

To help Fred celebrate his retirement the Hexagon will be putting on special performances of his favourite shows, Jim Davidson and the Black and White Minstrels.