Not such a perfect day for dignity as Sheffield council leader stars in song-and-dance video

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Sheffield Council boss Paul Scriven appeared to have no such concerns, however, when he agreed to star in a video which features him arriving at a luxury hotel and extolling the virtues of its staff and the services they can offer.

The production, which appeared on the internet yesterday was, according to Councillor Scriven, supposed to be a private training video for Sheffield's four-star Mercure St Paul's Hotel, and was never intended for public consumption.

But the scenes which show him arriving in a taxi with his tie askew and shirt untucked, and a sequence in which he serenades staff before drinking a pink cocktail, have led to ridicule and questions over his political judgement.

The 44-year-old told the Yorkshire Post last night he had "stepped in at the last minute" to film the two minute, 47 second video after arriving at the hotel on other business and hearing that an actor booked for it had dropped out.

He said he had agreed to become the star of the production as a "favour to a friend", and, stressing that he not been paid for the appearance, he said he would "have done the same for any Sheffield business which needed help".

Coun Scriven added: "I arrived at the hotel after carrying out my duties at the city's Remembrance Sunday events and the general manager of the hotel, whom I know quite well, asked me if I would do it because they were in dire need.

"I am known for being serious, I have dealt with some really difficult and serious issues since becoming leader of the council, but I am also prepared to have fun and do things to help local businesses here in Sheffield.

"I was aware that somebody needed help, and to be quite honest, I am the kind of person that is willing to give that help as long as there is no conflict of interest. I can't see what this has to do with my role as council leader."

Coun Scriven's endorsement of the hotel, which is next door to the Town Hall, has an ironic ring, because when in opposition he criticised the handling of its development several times.

Some of Coun Scriven's opponents claimed yesterday that his decision to appear in the video was linked to the fact that the hotel will be used for the Liberal Democrats' spring conference, which will take place in the city next March.

But he dismissed the comments as "ridiculous mischief making", said he had taken no part in organising venues for the event and added: "I did this as Paul Scriven, not as a councillor.

"It is a fun video, people think it's fun. Too many people think politicians are wooden and take the view that we are too serious. My political opponents need to grow up, and in the meantime, I'll do things the Paul Scriven way."

Yesterday, members of Sheffield Council's Labour group said it was "difficult to understand" why Coun Scriven had decided to act in the video and claimed that the performance was "not what the people of Sheffield would expect."

Coun Jack Scott, who represents the Arbourthorne ward for Labour said: "I think Paul Scriven is quite quickly becoming a laughing stock. His Government has taken a lot of money away from the people of Sheffield and he is spending time messing about doing something like this.

"It's not what anyone would expect from the leader of the biggest Liberal Democrat council in the country. It seems as though he has just taken leave of his senses. It's crazy."

Watch the video on YouTube