THE Brighton and Hove Conservative party leader has stepped down.

Councillor Tony Janio confirmed he would quit the role today after his party lost three seats in Withdean, as well as seats in Rottingdean Coastal, Central Hove and Westbourne.

Mr Janio said: “The figures in Brighton and Hove, as well as across the south east, have seen a lot of Conservative leaders lose their seats.

“I have knocked on a lot of doors in the Hangleton and Knoll ward as well as Portslade.

“On the doors people, both Conservative and Labour supporters, were very angry with the amount of time Brexit is taking.”

READ MORE: Brighton and Hove City Council election results 2019>>>

He said that he could not remain as the local party’s leader because of the actions of its national leaders.

Cllr Janio said: “How can I represent the Conservative party if I do not agree with what the leadership is doing?

“Because of yesterday’s bad results, alongside the anger people have shown, it’s obvious to me that my residents need the Conservatives to get their act together.”

The Conservative party finished yesterday’s election with 14 seats, seeing them lose out to the Labour Party with 20, and drop behind the Green party with 19.

Mr Janio was one of three Conservative councillors to hold their seats in the Hangleton and Knoll ward in yesterday’s local elections.

But the ward’s votes needed to be counted three times as Janio’s colleague Cllr Nick Lewry clung onto his position by two votes.

Cllr Janio said: “I can still represent my constituents as a councillor but not as the party leader as long as this continues.”

He also addressed who would be likely to succeed him, saying he would be surprised if one of the party’s two deputy leaders did not stand.

The Brighton Conservative party’s deputy leaders are Steve Bell, who was re-elected in the Woodingdean ward, and Lee Wares, who was re-elected to represent Patcham.