The first ever woman leader of Sefton Council has officially taken the reins.
Marion Atkinson was ‘sworn in’ as the new leader of the labour led council at a meeting in Bootle tonight.
She becomes the first woman to lead the council in its 50 year history but her tenure begins with unfounded favouritism claims given that she is the niece of Bootle MP Peter Dowd.
Ms Atkinson, who has been a councillor since 2012, has been named as leader of the party’s group and will be ratified as the Labour-led authority’s leader at a council meeting later in the week.
Opposition groups have criticised the selection process as undemocratic.
Her selection was overseen by the Labour Party, rather than elected members having a vote.
OTS News on Social Media