THE vacant seat on Liverpool council’s ruling executive board left by a Liberal Democrat convicted of breaking election law will be held open until his appeal is heard.

Steve Hurst relinquished his position last month as executive member for corporate services to work on clearing his name.

He broke election law when he attempted to smear a Labour candidate by delivering leaflets claiming she went “lap dancing” and her fireman husband was a “scab”.

There had been speculation that former executive member for communities and leisure Cllr Colin Eldridge would be given Cllr Hurst’s seat.

Last night, council leader Warren Bradley ended that speculation by revealing Cllr Hurst’s responsibilities had been divided up among himself and three other senior councillors.

Labour opposition leader Joe Anderson said he was concerned the important post, which oversees the council’s £70m-a-year contract with BT, was not being filled.

Council leader Warren Bradley, who fully supports Cllr Hurst, said: “We all spoke as a board and said we should pick up his duties.”

He said the post could not have been officially filled anyway until the meeting of the full council later this month.

He denied the roles carried out by Cllr Hurst were being neglected.

Cllrs Bradley, Marilyn Fielding, Flo Clucas, and Paula Keaveney have all taken on additional responsibilities.

The £13,000 special responsibility which Cllr Hurst foregoes after his resignation is not being divided up among those who have taken on his responsibilities.

Cllr Anderson said: “Steve Hurst was found guilty and resigned, but now they are keeping the job open for him.

“They seem to be trying to sweep this under the carpet, and it is concerning they are treating the public office in such contempt.”

Last night, Cllr Eldridge said: “I am 100% behind Warren’s decision to support Steve.

“If there was a vacancy in future, I would be interested.”

In sentencing, District Judge Richard Clancy said he had “no doubt” Cllr Hurst pushed the “Walton Scab” flier through letterboxes in Liverpool’s Woodlands Estate, in May, 2007.

The leaflet did not include the name and address of the printer and publisher, which is against the law, and Cllr Hurst was fined £500 and ordered to pay £790 costs, as well as a £15 victim surcharge.

davidbartlett