Liverpool city council's new chief executive Colin Hilton at his desk (200)

LIVERPOOL council’s opposition leader and chief executive should undertake mediation following a breakdown in their relationship, a panel has ruled.

The council’s appointment and disciplinary panel yesterday met to consider a demand from Labour’s Joe Anderson that Colin Hilton be suspended from his role.

The panel did not agree with independent legal advice that Cllr Anderson’s complaints about the chief executive should be looked into further, and instead said the two men should have mediation.

The Daily Post understands the panel decided, on the casting vote of Liberal Democrat Cllr Marilyn Fielding, there were no grounds for a disciplinary investigation.

Last night Cllr Anderson said he would refuse to have mediation with Mr Hilton because he wanted an investigation.

In a separate development the panel also voted to approve a recommendation to delete the post of executive director of finance and legal services, currently held by Phil Halsall.