LIBERAL Democrats have denied strong rumours that two of its councillors are on the brink of defecting to Labour.

A number of sources claim the unnamed representatives are in advanced talks over a possible move.

But the Lib Dem leadership rubbished the reports and accused political rivals of attempting to undermine them.

The party suffered heavy losses in the last local election following a bitter internal power struggle, which saw the group leader and a senior colleague de-selected.

The Lib Dems went from sharing power with Labour to being virtually wiped out by the electorate. There is also growing disquiet among grassroots activists over the coalition government’s policy on spending cuts and the NHS.

Defiant Lib Dem group leader Cllr Bob Sullivan said he was confident that his party was united. But he admitted he had heard some former high profile members may leave the party.

These include former councillor Johar Khan, who played a key role in the pre-election row last year, and former group leader Keith Rayner, who was the council’s number two when the Lib Dems formed a coalition with Labour.

Cllr Sullivan said: "The group is strong - there's only six of us and we're going to stick together - I'm sure of that.

"I'm not really concerned about if there are one or two other people who want to jump ship - that's up to them.

Lib Dem chief whip, Cllr Farooq Qureshi, said: "There's no way I would change party and betray the people who voted for me."

Former cabinet member Cllr Elizabeth Phillips denied she was planning to cross the floor.

The other Lib Dem councillors have been unavailable for comment.

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