Stretton replaced as Oldham Council leader

Former Oldham Council leader Jean Stretton

Just days after reclaiming her seat on Oldham Council, Jean Stretton has been ousted as the leader of the local authority.

It is understood she’ll be replaced by Councillor Sean Fielding after the town’s Labour group voted for the Failsworth West candidate to take over as their leader, and as such the leader of the council.

It brings to an end the tenure of the town’s first female leader of the local authority despite the party gaining two more seats at last week’s local elections.

In a Tweet announcing his win as leader of Oldham’s Labour Party, Mr Fielding said he was ‘honoured’ for the chance to serve the town at a higher level and thanked his predecessor for “her public service”.

In a further tweet, Mr Fielding said: “I’d like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to @CllrJStretton, the outgoing Leader, and thank Jean for her public service.

"I know that being the Council Leader is not an easy job, something I am sure I’ll come to appreciate even more during my time in this role.”

Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon, who was replaced by Ms Stretton at the council's helm in January, 2016, Tweeted: "Congratulations to newly elected Oldham Labour Group Leader Sean Fielding.

"Sean will take his place as Leader of the Council later this month."

Ms Stretton is yet to comment on the move to replace her.