NEW Conservative Isle of Wight Council leader Dave Stewart has made his first appointment, naming Cllr Stuart Hutchinson as his deputy.

It follows a fiery meeting last night (Wednesday) at which Cllr Stewart was elected to replace Independent leader Cllr Jonathan Bacon, who quit on Monday.

Cllr Hutchinson, a Tory colleague of Cllr Stewart, replaces independent Cllr Steve Stubbings, who also quit on Monday.

Cllr Stewart said he was prepared to work with councillors of all political persuasions and is expected to announce changes to the executive tomorrow (Friday).

He said setting the 2017/18 budget, next month, would be his priority. The Island Independents and Labour groups have said they plan to produce their own alternatives to the new Conservative leadership's budget plans.
Cllr Stewart appointment came after a turbulent night at County Hall.

The police were called at one stage, after an angry outburst by Labour councillor Geoff Lumley, in which he hit out at the chairmanship of Cllr Charles Chapman and branded UKIP councillors 'neo-facists.'

He eventually left, before the police were required to attend.

Isle of Wight Council elections will be held in May.