New Sunderland council leader installed

Councillor Michael Mordey vowed to make Sunderland "the best it can be"

Sunderland’s new council leader says he is "honoured to take up the position" after being formally installed in the role.

Councillor Michael Mordey was officially confirmed at a meeting on Monday evening.

The Labour councillor takes over from colleague Graeme Miller who leaves the top job after six years in office.

Mr Mordey was appointed leader of the Labour group by a panel of national party officials rather than, as is usual, by the party’s city councillors.

Speaking at Monday's meeting, Mr Mordey said: "I’m under no illusions that there is a whole host of work to be done in the months and years ahead."

The Hendon ward representative added: "But I am excited to take up this position and I commit myself to working day in and day out in the pursuit of making Sunderland the best it can be."

Mr Mordey also thanked his predecessor for "all he did for the city", along with councillors, family and friends for their support, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

'Yes man' accusation

However, councillor Paul Edgeworth, leader of Wearside Liberal Democrats and the official opposition, criticised the move as "an absolute absurdity and an insult to democracy in Sunderland".

It comes after national party leaders stepped in to place the city’s Labour Group under special measures, which resulted in Mr Mordey being appointed as new group leader and councillor Kelly Chequer as deputy.

Mr Edgeworth said: "We shouldn’t be dictated to by Labour’s London and Newcastle HQs who have without question installed a yes man who will be bad for Sunderland."

The new council chief responded by saying he has only met Labout leader Keir Starmer once, although he praised and recited the national party's recently announced "first steps for changes".

Mr Mordey was ultimately elected by a vote of 50 in support and 17 against.