One of Leicestershire's most high-profile councillors has left frontline politics because of his involvement in an alleged dirty tricks scandal.

Nicholas Rushton has said while a misconduct investigation hangs over him it would not be right for him to remain as deputy leader of the county council.

The ruling Conservatives at County Hall are this week choosing a new cabinet and are holding open elections for Coun Rushton's position.

The Leicester Mercury revealed last month that he offered a pre-election deal for a rival candidate to stand down in last week's elections, which is being looked at by police. The county council's standards board will only consider the case when the police have finished their work.

Constituent Simon Jones decided to stand as an independent in the June 4 elections because he believed that Coun Rushton had not represented his area properly over the use of St Hardulph's Primary School, in Breedon on the Hill, as a community centre.

Leaked e-mails published in the Mercury showed Coun Rushton said he would guarantee a new village hall and would pay some of the election expenses incurred if Mr Jones pulled out, which he did.

Today, Coun Rushton maintained he had done nothing wrong.

He said he would remain a councillor but had taken the decision so he could clear his name and not damage the party.

He said: "My name had been referred to Leicestershire County Council's Standards Committee for investigation for alleged misconduct.

"I feel I must be given the chance to vindicate myself from these allegations and to best achieve this, I intend to rigorously oppose these allegations independent of any party or cabinet commitments.

"It would be entirely inappropriate for these investigations to distract the new Conservative administration from its duties.

"For these reasons, I have decided to withdraw my nomination for deputy leader and pledge to support the administration in any way I can.

"I fully intend to represent all the people of the Valley division who returned me as their county councillor from the back benches."

As well as being deputy leader Coun Rushton was also cabinet member for Highways, which will also be handed on. All the positions will be confirmed by the full council next Wednesday.

Council leader David Parsons was also mentioned in the leaked paperwork, which included an e-mail from him giving his and County Hall's commitment to build a new community hall.

He has already been chosen as leader of the county Tories.

He does not intend to stand down even though he too has been referred to the standards board with the same allegations.

He said: "I am extremely grateful to Nick for the valuable service he has given the county council. I respect his decision to step aside at this time. I see no reason to consider my own position."

When the news broke opposition parties reacted furiously.

Opposition leader at the council, Liberal Democrat leader Simon Galton said: "As we know from various reports in the press there are other people who are involved in this sorry tale and we hope they will now examine their own connections with the issue in the light of Mr Rushton's decision."