Deputy city mayor quits due to clash over roles

Coun Daren Hale, who is also Hull Council’s deputy leader, was to have been the city’s 100th Lord Mayor next year.

Concerns about the legality of the dual roles were first raised by council lawyers after Labour unexpectedly swept to power in May.

Councillors voted to amend the constitution at its annual meeting the same month to allow Coun Hale to continue. A QC’s opinion was sought and in July the council was told that Coun Hale could not hold both roles.

A second legal opinion from another QC, which came back on August 4, confirmed the legal position.

Lord Mayor Colin Inglis defended the use of two QCs to determine the issue.

He said: “The issue was of such importance that we wanted to be certain of our legal position.

“It is very sad that Daren, who has been an exceptional deputy and would have made I’m sure a first class Lord Mayor, has to make a choice between a ceremonial role and an executive one.”

In a statement Hull Council said: “As was made clear at that time (of the AGM) in the advice of the Monitoring Officer and in the chamber by the Lord Mayor, this amendment was necessary because of a complex legal matter.

“The monitoring officer’s advice to members at that time was also clear that should further investigation and advice require it the amendment to the constitution and Councillor Hale’s election would need to be revisited.”

Coun Hale – who is head of child care resources at North East Lincolnshire Council – was not available for comment.

Labour appoints Lord Mayors and deputies by seniority. The next councillor, who is not on the Cabinet and who could take the role is Labour councillor Tom McVie followed by Liberal Democrat Simone Butterworth.