A long-serving Liverpool councillor has quit the Labour Party after a former editor of The Sun was hired as the government’s new communications lead.
Former council cabinet member Steve Mumby, who represents the Dingle ward, made the decision following the appointment of David Dinsmore.
Dinsmore previously edited the tablold, still widely boycotted in the city for its false coverage of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, between 2013 and 2015.
In a social media post, Cllr Mumby confirmed that he had contacted Labour’s chief whip to ‘part ways’ with the party and become an independent councillor.
“After pondering the situation, I have emailed the Labour chief whip to say I don’t wish to bring myself into disrepute by being associated with the Labour government and the local Labour cabinet,” he wrote on Facebook.
“So, for now, I will be parting ways with the Labour group and party. There are many good local Labour councillors I wish well.
“The Lib Dems, Greens, Community Independents and Liberals are neither use nor ornament.
“But following the commissioners, the current cabinet, with perhaps two exceptions, have handed over all power and decision-making to the senior management team.
“This was not a forced decision but voluntary – a case of Stockholm syndrome?
“As a result, it makes far less difference who is in the council cabinet, though having a good local councillor DOES matter.
“I will continue to serve Dingle residents as an independent councillor.”