Worcester’s Liberal Democrats have explained why they voted to move away from having joint leaders of the city council.

The party, which now has its highest ever number of councillors in the Guildhall, backed a change to the council’s constitution earlier this week that allowed Labour’s Lynn Denham and Jabba Riaz to be appointed leader and deputy leader.

Jessie Jagger, who is leading the Lib Dem group while Mel Allcott takes on the role of city mayor, likened the concept of false joint leadership to a “false marriage”.

Cllr Jagger cautioned against its potential to undermine effective collaboration and leadership within the council - and also made it clear that Lib Dem support for a Labour motion does not mean the parties are entering into a coalition.