POLITICAL groups must unite to form a stable administration at Blaenau Gwent council, that’s the message from AM Alun Davies following Des Hillman’s resignation.

The Blaina ward councillor quit the top job on Friday amid allegations of “skulduggery” within his own group and “harassment and bullying” by the Argus.

Following the resignation, which officially came into force at 5pm yesterday, Labour and independent councillors decided to hold talks this week to thrash out a plan of attack ahead of Friday’s meeting where a newleader will be announced.

Deputy leader John Mason is the odds-on favourite of the independents with other front runners including political heavyweight Don Wilcox and former Labour council leader John Hopkins.

But if the infighting in the independents continues, it could fall to Labour and its leader Hedley McCarthy to take the reins.

Speaking to the Argus last night, Alun Davies was pleased with the resignation: “I think Des Hillman has done the right thing, he should have gone some months ago and it would have saved the council and people of Blaenau Gwent a great deal of time and effort. We need a period of stability, we need a strong and effective political leadership.

“Des Hillman’s time in office was one catastrophe after another, a lack of leadership and a lack of vision.

“I hope that we can put that behind us and work together for the best administration to serve the people of Blaenau Gwent.”

During his resignation speech, Cllr Hillman also hit out at the Labourcontrolled Welsh Assembly Government, claiming the damning Estyn report into the borough’s education service was “politically motivated.”

The Welsh Assembly Government would not be drawn on the comments, but said: “Cllr Hillman’s resignation is a matter for him, and it is equally for other councillors to elect a newleader.”

Estyn refused to comment of the outburst.

The draft report by the Wales Audit Office investigation into the running of the council was released to the authority yesterday. The report will be considered by the council and commented on before the full report is made public at the end of the month.