ROD Hills, the former York council leader who became embroiled in a high-profile criminal investigation, has been found dead in Leeds.

The body of Mr Hills was discovered in a house in Chapeltown just after 11pm last night, West Yorkshire Police confirmed this afternoon.

A police spokeswoman said a post-mortem examination would be carried out but that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

A tearful and distraught woman who answered the door at his home in Huntington Road told the Evening Press she had been informed this morning that Mr Hills had died.

The woman, Julie Long, said she had been his partner for several months but had known him for quite a long time.

"It hasn't sunk in properly yet," she said. "I cannot believe it."

Julie said she had last seen Mr Hills when he had dropped her off at the gym yesterday, when he had seemed fine.

She said: "We can confirm that police attended a house in Newton Walk, Chapeltown, where the body of a 57-year-old man was found.

"There were no suspicious circumstances." Later the police confirmed that the body was that of Mr Hills

The spokeswoman was unable to say who had contacted police to report the death.

She said the coroner in Leeds had been informed.

Mr Hill's son is believed to have travelled to Leeds today to carry out the identification.

Former council colleagues were shocked and devastated today by the news, which comes only days after the Press revealed that Mr Hills had refused to accept one of the city's highest honours.

He told the paper he had not felt able to take up the role of Honorary Alderman, which is awarded to councillors who have given more than 20 years service.

Mr Hills faced charges last year including blackmail, soliciting women for prostitution and perverting the course of justice last year but the charges were dropped.

A further investigation involving the death of his wife, Coun Carol Wallace, also ended on the advice of the Crown Prosecution Service.

Former Conservative group leader John Galvin said: "I am quite devastated by the news and very saddened that a man of his ability has come to an untimely end.

"He was a formidable political opponent and he could be very scary and have a cutting tongue. But I dealt with him very well for three years."

He recalled that when he was not re-elected as a councillor in May he received a wonderful letter of support from Mr Hills.

"York will miss him," he added.

Labour councillor David Horton said he was shocked by the news as he had only seen Mr Hills two weeks ago.

He said: "I had a lot of time for Rod. He was a forthright bloke.

"He dragged up York by its bootlaces and put it on the map in many ways when he was leader of the council. The events of the last two years really floored him, as they would anyone."

Selby MP John Grogan said: "For public service over two decades, Rod Hills made an outstanding contribution to the city of York and was perhaps the principal architect of the council's reputation as one of the most progressive in the country."

Leader of the council Steve Galloway said: "The news will come as a deep shock to many residents in York although tragedy and controversy dogged Rod over the last few years of his life. This news will add a final and desperately sad twist to events.

"I extend the commiserations of all those connected with the York council to Rod's friends and relatives. There will be a more appropriate time to pay tribute to Rod's work for the people of York.

"For now one can only record that one of the dominant figures of the last two decades of the city's life is no longer with us. Residents will mourn his passing."

Labour councillor Ken King, who represents Mr Hill's former ward in Clifton, said: "I am absolutely gutted. Despite all his problems he was one of the best leaders that any group has ever had on the council.

"Politically he was as sharp as a razor. He led our group from success to success."

A spokeswoman for the University of York said they were "very sad to hear of his death."

Former Vice-Chancellor Ron Cooke praised the "substantial contribution" of Mr Hills to the successful development of the city, saying: "He did much to improve the lot of the less fortunate among us.

"In all my dealings with him in the city and the university, I always found him to be scrupulously fair and principled."

All council members and staff were this afternoon being emailed by council chief executive David Atkinson informing them of the death.

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Updated: 14:05 Tuesday, July 29, 2003