THE council is remaining tight-lipped over the controversial appointment of former Labour spin doctor Joe Derrett as a media relations manager.

Mr Derrett, a former head of the London Labour Party press team, will begin his new role next month.

A former press officer for Ken Livingstone, Mr Derrett remained at City Hall but is now leaving reportedly because he does not want to work for a Conservative mayor.

Both Conservative group leader Matt Davis and Lib Dem leader John Macklin are angry that the decision to appoint Mr Derrett was taken by officers without input from their groups' councillors.

Cllr Davis said the onus is on Mr Derrett to prove he can do his new job in a non-partisan way.

Andrew Kilburn, the council's chief executive, said: “The council does not comment on the recruitment of individual council officers and never has.

“I can confirm, however, that any recruitment to positions working closely with elected members, including corporate communications, is done so in line with council recruitment policy.”