THE new leader of the Barnet Conservative party is Councillor Richard Cornelius.

Yesterday he beat cabinet rival and deputy leader Councillor Andrew Harper and backbencher Councillor Mark Shooter in a secret ballot of his party colleagues.

His appointment comes after Councillor Lynne Hillan stepped down from the leadership due to her battle with cancer.

The Times Series understands Cllr Harper was knocked out in the first round of voting at yesterday’s specially convened meeting, before Cllr Cornelius won through in the second round.

An extraordinary council meeting has been called for Wednesday in order for Cllr Cornelius to be formally voted in as leader of the council.

At the meeting he will also announce his new cabinet and their portfolios, ahead of a cabinet meeting on the same night.