TWO senior councillors have had to stand down from prominent posts at City of York Council amid a standards investigation, but executives are refusing to reveal details of the row behind their alleged actions.

Cllr Keith Aspden and Nigel Ayre – both Liberal Democrats – have been asked to stand down from their executive seats.

The news broke with a statement from the city council’s Conservative leader Cllr David Carr yesterday evening, but it was not confirmed by senior council staff until this morning.

A spokesman for City of York Council said: “It would be inappropriate for us to comment further while an investigation is underway or before the standards committee has had the opportunity to meet.”

The spokesman also confirmed that a standards committee meeting would be called to deal with the situation – probably next month.

In his statement yesterday, Cllr Carr said he was asking the two councillors to stand aside while a standards investigation was carried out.

He said: “Following external legal advice and in accordance with the powers granted to me under the CYC constitution, I have required Cllr Aspden and Cllr Ayre to stand aside from their duties as Executive Committee members pending the outcome of a Standards Committee investigation.

“This action is not an attempt to pre-judge the findings of the Standards Committee, but given the seriousness of the allegations at issue I have determined that in order for the administration to continue to function effectively that it is best for Cllr Aspden and Cllr Ayre to take a step back from their Executive duties at this time.”

The Conservatives and Lib Dems are in joint control of the city council, with each party holding four seats on the ruling executive.

A key meeting of that is due to take place this afternoon, and it is unclear which councillors will take their seats. Decisions are due to be made on a number of major projects in York – including the closure of Woolnough House care home, and the arrival of a temporary Shakespearean theatre to the Castle car park next summer.

Conservative councillors could, however, push on without their coalition partners as the council’s constitution puts quorate for the Executive at just four.

A Lib Dem group spokesperson said: “I can confirm that yesterday evening we received a request from the leader of the council for two Liberal Democrat councillors to ‘step aside’ from the Executive.

“The Liberal Democrat Group will now meet to decide the best way forward.”