THE leader of the region's biggest council has broken his silence to describe reports of his demise as "much exaggerated".

The Northern Echo revealed this week how Councillor Ken Manton, the leader of Durham County Council, is among a number of senior Labour councillors facing de-selection because of a 50 per cent women's quota being introduced by party chiefs.

Local Labour branches have been asked to recommend which of their county councillors should lose the party nomination and be replaced by women ahead of next May's elections.

Coun Manton, whose seat lies in the Sedgefield district, is on business in France along with officials from the County Durham Development Company.

In an e-mail to The Northern Echo, he said: "So far, business goes on usual and much is yet to happen before next year's Durham County Council elections.

"However, I think it is relevant to quote Oscar Wilde, as accurately as I can at this distance from home, and say the reports of my demise are much exaggerated."

The issue of the 50 per cent women's quota, designed to increase the number of women in elected positions, is to be discussed at a meeting of the County Durham Labour party this weekend.

It is thought that Coun Manton and other councillors affected could choose to become independents, should they lose the party nomination.

Labour officials have dismissed claims that the quota is being used to force out councillors no longer in favour with the party hierarchy as a red herring.