The leader of Cheshire East Council Michael Jones has sworn the he will ‘never’ accept an award for his personal achievements in politics while council leader.

He made the remark in an exclusive interview with the Express after a freedom of information request uncovered that he had been nominated for Leader of the Year prize in the 2015 Councillor Achievement Awards by the council’s chief executive Mike Suarez.

Mr Suarez said that his nomination of Coun Jones came about after a number of people – including council members and officers – suggested it.

Yet the move was criticised by others, including UKIP’s Willaston and Rope ward councillor Brian Silvester citing a number of controversies under Coun Jones’s leadership. He said: “When Coun Jones was nominated as leader of the year the news was met with a wave of almost universal disbelief.”

Criticism as council leader up for award

But Coun Jones said that he would never have accepted the award.

He said: “I work 90 hours a week working hard day in, day out right up to the election for the people of Cheshire East.

“I will never accept an award as council leader.”

Cheshire East’s chief executive Mike Suarez said: “The council proceeded with the nomination after a number of members and officers suggested the leader.

“Cheshire East promotes entries for such awards and encourages staff and members to take opportunities to showcase the council. This is not in any way partisan.

“It was simply part of a wider strategy to raise the profile of the council both regionally and nationally and celebrate the excellent work done by this authority.”