The leader of Liverpool Council’s largest opposition group has lept to the defence of the authority’s beleaguered chief executive.
After former Lord Mayor and ex-Labour councillor Anna Rothery called for Town Hall boss Tony Reeves to step down, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, Cllr Richard Kemp has defended Mr Reeves and chastised the newly-appointed leader of ex-Labour members Cllr Rothery. Cllr Kemp said Labour and members of the new Liverpool Community Independents Group - formed of ex-Labour councillors - were seeking to make Mr Reeves a “scapegoat” for the ruling group’s own failings.
Cllr Rothery called for Mr Reeves to step down just 24 hours after it was confirmed that his deputy Mel Creighton would leave her post as deputy chief executive and director of finance after three-and-a-half years. The Princes Park councillor said despite Ms Creighton’s resignation, Mr Reeves’ position remained “untenable”.
