TRIBUTES were flooding in last night for a former council leader whose high-flying political career came crashing down in a high profile criminal investigation.

Rod Hills, Labour leader of the council in York until a year ago, was found dead at a house in the Chapeltown district of Leeds late on Monday night. He was 56.

Police found his body at a house in Newton Walk and, although a post-mortem examination has still to be held, it is understood there were no suspicious circumstances.

A lecturer in economic and social history at York University, Mr Hills was leader of the city's council for 18 years until his spectacular fall from grace last year.

He faced a number of accusations including blackmail, soliciting women for prostitution, witness intimidation and perverting the course of justice - but all the charges were dropped.

A further investigation involving the death of his second wife, Carol Wallace, after an accident at their home, also ended on the advice of the Crown Prosecution Service.

During the first investigation Mr Hills, who was also a high profile member of North Yorkshire County Council for many years, was suspended from the Labour Party.

Only days ago it was revealed that he had turned down the offer of becoming an honorary alderman.

But yesterday, his former colleagues on the authority were devastated by the death of the man who in 1999 was honoured with a CBE for his services to local government.

Labour councillor David Horton said he had last seen Mr Hills only two weeks ago.

"I had a lot of time for Rod. He was a forthright bloke," he said.

"He dragged up York by its bootlaces and put it on the map in many ways when he was leader of the council. The events of the past two years really floored him, as they would anyone."

Fellow Labour councillor Ken King said: "Despite all his problems, he was one of the best leaders that any group has ever had on the council. Politically he was as sharp as a razor. He led our group from success to success."

The leader of York's now Liberal-Democrat council, Steve Galloway, said the news was a "final and desperately sad" twist to recent events.

"The news will come as a deep shock to many residents in York, although tragedy and controversy dogged Rod over the past few years of his life," he said.

"I extend the commiserations of all those connected with the York council to Rod's friends and relatives.

"There will be a more appropriate time to pay tribute to Rod's work for the people of York.

"For now, one can only record that one of the dominant figures of the last two decades of the city's life is no longer with us. Residents will mourn his passing.