Somerset CC has dropped children’s services troubleshooter Peter Lewis ahead of disappointing inspection reports from regulators Ofsted - it has emerged.

Mr Lewis, whose high annual stipend - thought to be up to £320,000 annually from the county - sparked political controversy, was brought in 18 months ago to help overhaul Somerset’s beleaguered children’s services department after his turnaround success with Haringey in the aftermath of the Baby P case.

Somerset CC chief executive Pat Flaherty said improvements overseen during Mr Lewis’ tenure as interim director of children’s services had ‘not been enough’.