A COUNCIL leader accused of a £45,000 benefit fraud is today set to step down, the Post can reveal.

Milan Radulovic, Labour leader of Broxtowe Borough Council, is accused of receiving an overpayment in his incapacity benefit of £45,511.

The Post understands this relates to allowances he is said to have claimed as a councillor, but did not declare as earnings.

David Watts, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the council, said they had asked him to step down and that he thought Mr Radulovic's resignation as leader was the "right thing to do".

The council is run by a coalition of Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors.

Councillor Watts said: "The Liberal Democrat group thought he should step down as leader because the upcoming court case is a big issue he should concentrate on. We have conveyed this to him in meetings and believe him leaving his position as council leader is the right thing to do at this time.

"He had faced calls to stand down and the Liberal Democrat group thought that he should make his mind up."

The Post understands that Mr Radulovic will finalise the details of his resignation and appoint his successor today.

Mr Radulovic, who denies the charge of benefit fraud, said: "I understand the position of the Liberal Democrats, with the case proceeding. I have decided to step aside for a short while to not cause the council any embarrassment while the legal proceedings are under way."

His case will be heard at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on March 16.

Mr Radulovic has served as leader of the council since the election in May 2011 and has served as a councillor in Eastwood since 1986.