THE top Tory councillor in Brent is quitting after 24 years as he bids for a Parliamentary seat in Harrow.

The Harrow Times understands Councillor Bob Blackman will not stand for re-election in Preston ward in May, but will try to unseat Harrow East MP Tony McNulty.

Cllr Blackman, who was first elected in 1986, will leave his post as leader of the Tory group on Brent Council, sparking a leadership contest after the local elections.

His decision to stand down is reportedly honouring a pledge to Harrow East Conservatives that he would not be a local councillor as well as an MP.

Cllr Blackman now has everything riding on being able to beat Mr McNulty in the General Election when it is called later this year.

Several Brent councillors are now thought to be lining up for a leadership bid, and Councillor John Detre (Northwick Park) told the Harrow Times he will be among the challengers.

He said: “Bob is a Parliamentary candidate and he is expecting to get elected. Out of respect for the people of Preston, he doesn't want to stand and make promises he can't keep.

“The leadership is something the group will decide after the election, there are only two people who will be candidates and frankly I will be one of them.”