THE leader of Bromsgrove Council is fighting for his political life after the Government's ethical standards watchdog found he improperly sought to influence a decision on the future of the Victoria Ground.

The ethical standards officer says that Councillor Dennis Norton should have declared an interest and that his "interest was so significant that it was likely to prejudice his judgement of the public interest".

But the watchdog found that the Tory councillor, who represents St John's ward, did not intend to breach the code of conduct and that no further action should be taken.

The adjudication follows a complaint that Cllr Norton failed to declare a personal interest because he owned property next to the Bromsgrove Rovers ground, which was subject to a possible supermarket development.

After taking legal advice Cllr Norton has issued a brief but defiant written statement in which he claims to have been cleared by the investigation.

"I have been completely exonerated; the Standards Board found there was no intention on my part to breach the code of conduct and no further action needs to be taken," he said.

But the man who has led the district council for two-and-a-half years, during a period which has seen the authority placed under special measures, is coming under pressure to resign.

He has received qualified support from Geoff Denaro (WRRA - Drakes Cross and Walkers Heath) who leads the official opposition on the council.

"I believe that alarm bells should have rung. However, the Ethical Standards Officer has found that no action needs to be taken," he said.

But other senior councillors believe Cllr Norton has no option but to step down.

The strongest call comes from Cllr Nick Psirides (Ind-Norton) who was replaced by Dennis Norton as council leader.

"I am concerned that the Board did not recommend suspending Councillor Norton for not declaring his interest in the proposed development and the whole of the former cabinet should resign," he said.

Meanwhile Cllr Peter McDonald, leader of Bromsgrove's Labour councillors, said: "The Labour group feels the leader has a responsibility to maintain high standards. He has clearly failed to uphold those high standards and should resign."

Independent Cllr Ann Doyle (Ind-Hillside) also urged resignation: "Under the circumstances the only honourable thing to do would be for the leader and for the deputy to resign."

The Our Bromsgrove pressure group, which opposed proposals to develop the Victoria Ground, have welcomed the decision of the Ethical Standards Officer.

Spokesman Don Ross said: "This adjudication supports everything we had said and given the importance of the office the only honourable thing is to resign." The future of Dennis Norton is likely to be discussed at the next meeting of the full Bromsgrove District Council.

In a separate judgement the ethical standards officer rejected a complaint against Cllrs Margaret Taylor (Con-Linthurst), Jill Dyer (Con-Drakes Cross and Walkers Heath), Craig Lanham (Con-Stoke Heath) and former councillors Dr Margaret Oliver and Brian Taylor that they failed to report a suspected breach of the Code of Conduct. The complaint was made by Mr Norton.