Cllr Martin Murray has been announced as the new Reform UK group leader for Staffordshire County Council by party members.

The council has been without a leader for the past three months, since the previous leader, Cllr Ian Cooper, stepped down.

Cllr Martin Murray will continue in his role as acting leader of the county council until a new leader is selected by members at an additional meeting of the full council on 26 March.

This follows a meeting on 12 March at which Cllr Murray said: "We will be electing a leader for this council at the earliest opportunity, once group rules and council rules permit.

"We know the importance of democratic choice and we will always make sure every person has their say and vote when invited to do so."

Conservative group leader Philip White said at the same meeting: "We all agree with you on this side, after three months without a leader, it is essential that we do have a permanent leader of the council as soon as possible.

"Three months without a leader is a deep, deep concern to us all, so thank you for speaking to it."

Haley Coles, the cabinet member for communities and culture, has been elected as deputy group leader.

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According to Staffordshire County Council: "Day‑to‑day operations will continue as normal and the council will press on in delivering its new strategic direction across all cabinet portfolios."