WORCESTER'S Conservatives have been accused of "manipulating" the role of city mayor - with disgruntled Labour politicians demanding a re-think over it.

Last week your Worcester News revealed how Councillor Mike Whitehouse, the current deputy mayor, will step down from the Guildhall next spring at the local elections.

Traditionally, the deputy has gone on to take over the chains the following year but Councillor Whitehouse, who represented Claines, has opted to quit mainly due to work reasons.

But his departure was an open secret for months - before he took on the role of deputy mayor last May he made it known he was considering standing down in 2016.

The previous year the mayoralty became embroiled in controversy when Councillor Alan Amos ditched Labour after the party decided overlooked him to become their candidate.

He became an independent and was made new city mayor immediately by the Tories, with Councillor Amos using his vote to help sweep them back into power before officially joining the Conservatives a year later.

Councillor Adrian Gregson, who leads the city's Labour group, has claimed his opponents are "manipulating the role of the mayor" and showing it a lack of respect.

The Conservative leadership has openly mocked the stance, saying every councillor gets an equal vote in who becomes the city's new mayor every year.

Councillor Gregson said: "The real issue for me is that everyone knew Mike (Whitehouse) was stepping down, yet they persisted with making him the deputy mayor.

"He had already made it clear he wouldn't see it through and become mayor the following year, it's a deliberate manipulation.

"Especially with what happened with the shenanigans the year before (with Councillor Amos), it's clear they don't have respect for the role."

He also asked a question about it during a full council meeting, saying Councillor Whitehouse's decision to quit in 2016 was "widely rumoured" and asking the Tories to support a Labour mayoral appointment next May.

Councillor Simon Geraghty, the leader, said: "I'd like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the mayor and deputy mayor, and the huge contribution they make to this city."

He said Councillor Whitehouse had done "exceptionally well" as the deputy, adding: "Personally, I'm sad that to see the deputy mayor is standing down, but I understand the reasons he's expressed very clearly in the media about his work."

He also insisted the two high-profile civic appointments, which are made each May following the elections, are a matter for the entire council.

During the debate Councillor Geraghty also pointed to Councillor Roger Knight being the first Conservative Mayor of Worcester since 2011/12.

The last two city mayors before Councillor Amos were both Labour ones.