Barry Legg quits post of Tory chief exec
The Conservative Party’s controversial chief executive, Barry Legg, has been forced to quit his job.
His departure follows a decision by party organisers to abolish the post and ‘devolve responsibilities to other members of the management team.’
Iain Duncan Smith, in a statement, said he was ‘sorry’ Central Office reorganisation had curtailed Mr. Legg’s stay of office.
Mr. Duncan Smith said: ‘I would like to thank Barry for his work over the past three months and am sorry that the reorganisation means that he will now be leaving.’
And Mr, Legg said: ‘I am sorry to be leaving so soon and do so regretting that I have not been able to do more. I wish the party every success.’
The former MP for Milton Keynes South West (1992-1997) had been in the job less than three months.
His was seen as a traditionalist and a perfect counterbalance to the perceived over-zealous modernisation of the party,
His appointment irked many within the party, not least Tory MP Derek Conway who told the BBC’s Today programme that Mr. Legg’s appointment was ill-judged: ‘I think when these matters are put to the board of the party and to the leader of the party, if he doesn’t offer his resignation then they should take direct action themselves.
‘I think it’s a wrong appointment. I think Iain Duncan Smith allowed friendship to cloud his judgement frankly.’
Despite having had some success in recent local elections, the resignation will undoubtedly hurt Duncan Smith’s leadership and further loosen his grip at the helm of the party.
Mr. Legg faced media enquiries this week over his role as member of Westminster City Council in the 1980s.
He was accused of housing homeless families in a tower block riddled with asbestos.
