Lib Dems keep up pressure on Mellor

5.31.30pm GMT Mon 8th Dec 2003

The Liberal Democrats have kept up the pressure on under-fire Tory Council Leader Russell Mellor, demanding that he explain a press report that his administration may be looking to get rid of the post of Chief Executive of the Council.

The report in last week's local press stated that Russell Mellor's Council assistant, Alexa Michael, asked on a Tory Party web discussion group if any other Council ran without a Chief Executive. The posting was made as Cllr Mellor assured councillors that his dispute with Bromley's Chief Executive was over.

Lib Dem Councillor David McBride. Calling for answers from Bromley's Tory administration.

Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Cllr David McBride, has written to Cllr Mellor asking him to respond to the story. Cllr McBride said, "This was an extraordinary revelation. If Cllr Michael has written the e-mail then, as his Council Assistant, Russell Mellor must know about it. If that is the case, why is he still pretending to councillors that the row between him and the Chief Executive is over? If, however, she did it without his knowledge she must be sacked immediately."