An attempt to oust the leader of Surrey CC in the wake of an alleged ‘sweetheart deal' with the Government failed today.

Cllr David Hodge survived the vote of no confidence, tabled by the opposition Lib Dems. 

The motion was opposed by 47 councillors, with only eight supporting the proposal, and 12 abstentions.

Cllr Hazel Watson, leader of the council's Lib Dems, had called on Cllr Hodge to resign, arguing his credibility had been ‘undermined every day by new revelations'.

The council leader has come under fire in recent weeks after a proposed referendum on increasing council tax by 15% was allegedly scrapped in return for a funding deal with the Government.

Although Cllr Hodge has fervently denied a secret deal took place, documents released by the Department for Communities and Local Government revealed ministers had indicated ‘some extra funding' would be available to the county after 2018.