THE deputy leader of Winchester City Council has become the latest civic boss to resign in the wake of the Silver Hill controversy, the Hampshire Chronicle can reveal.

Conservative councillor Victoria Weston has stood down in the third resignation since a High Court judge ruled that city chiefs presided over “unlawful” action on the £165 million scheme.

She follows leader Rob Humby and opposition scrutiny chief Chris Pines.

It comes ahead of a leadership vote tonight in which Conservative Frank Pearson and the Lib Dems’ Kelsie Learney will attempt to take control at the Guildhall.

LIVE: Visit hampshirechronicle.co.uk from 6pm for updates, pictures and reaction from the meeting

Announcing her resignation in an email to Conservative councillors yesterday, Cllr Weston said: "Yesterday councillor Rob Humby decided to step down as leader and today I am also stepping down from my role as deputy leader and cabinet member, hopeful that this will be in the best interests of the city.

"Rob has been a good leader of the council and continues to have my full support as a colleague and friend.

"Throughout the Silver Hill planning process Rob and I have done our utmost to involve all interested parties and endeavoured to take the best advice made available to us at all times.

"It is unfortunate for all those concerned that on this occasion a judge has disagreed. 

"It should not be overlooked that in the quest to deliver Winchester's future prosperity the planning applications for Silver Hill have spanned both Conservative and Liberal Democrat administrations and thus these current resignations cannot expunge all responsibility in this setback to progress.

"While questions are now being asked of our administration it will have to wait to be seen if a different development could deliver a superior and equally beneficial Silver Hill for the residents of Winchester."

When approached by the Chronicle for comment, she said: "I have nothing to say to you at the moment."

Hampshire Chronicle:

Cllrs Humby and Weston (centre) defied calls to resign last week. Chief executive Simon Eden (left) and corporate director Steve Tilbury (right) were also urged to step down

Political tension is rising ahead of tonight’s meeting as one Tory branded Cllr Learney “hypocritical” over her past involvement in the Silver Hill saga.

In last week’s High Court judgment, Mrs Justice Lang said the council breached procurement law twice over Silver Hill.

The first occasion was 2004, when Lib Dem cabinet members entered an exclusivity agreement with previous developer Thornfield.

Then last summer the Conservative cabinet – led by Cllrs Humby and Weston – allowed current partner Henderson to propose controversial changes to the city centre scheme.

Conservative councillor Fiona Mather said: “I’m used to the Lib Dems being immensely hypocritical. All I would say is that [Cllr Learney standing for leader] is another example of that, because she’s associated with – she’s got a long history with – Silver Hill.

“It was hypocritical of her to stand.”

Cllr Learney, who sat on the 2004 cabinet, dismissed the claim as “political mischief”, adding that the law has changed and the Thornfield decision was taken on the best advice available at the time.