Councillor resigns over estate plans

Councillor Kemp had been under pressure to resign

A leading Liverpool councillor has resigned over controversial regeneration plans for a rundown estate.

Richard Kemp, who was in charge of the city's housing stock, blamed a "vicious" and "personal" campaign for his decision.

He had been under pressure to leave after multi-million pound plans to regenerate the Boot estate, in Norris Green, fell heavily behind schedule.

Some residents have already moved out of their homes to make way for the development and were planning to demonstrate outside a meeting on Friday evening at the town hall.

'Personal' attacks

Councillor Kemp said: "I can understand why someone living in a poor house wants me to do something about it and wants me to do something about it tomorrow.

"But with the degree of viciousness which has been displayed in this case - and it has all become personalised on one person - there comes a time when one has to call it a day."

He will continue to serve as a councillor but has left his position as executive member for housing.