Council leader quits after six months in the job

Peterborough City Council leader Mohammed Farooq (centre) said he would step down and called for "stability" at the local authority

A city council leader has resigned following the Labour Party's success in the local elections.

Mohammed Farooq, from the independent Peterborough First group, took charge at Peterborough City Council in November after a vote of no confidence in the previous Conservative leader.

The local elections in May left no single party with overall control, but Labour became the largest with 19 seats.

Mr Farooq said he wanted the council to choose a new leader “who commands a majority” in order to bring “stability”.

Since November, the council was run by Peterborough First as a minority administration, largely made up of Tory defectors.

Labour claimed the biggest victory in May and the Tories lost half of their seats.

Peterborough First at least gained four seats, taking them to 14, while the Greens and Liberal Democrats gained two each.

'Tough and embarrassing'

In his resignation letter Mr Farooq said: “After taking over in November, we hit the ground running, trying to resolve problems related to legacy projects, strengthening the council’s partnerships and streamlining council functions.”

But he admitted that despite “good progress in many areas” the council faced a raft of difficulties.

“There remain some very tough and embarrassing decisions to be made on matters that are a legacy of the previous administration. Any incoming administration will find it needs heavy and broad shoulders to carry the legacy burden," he said.

The new leadership was due to be discussed at the annual council meeting on Monday evening.

Mr Farooq suggested that Labour should join forces with Peterborough First and said the new leader should command a majority of "31 or more".

"This is vital for the stability of the council and the challenges it faces," he said.