TWO new executive members have been appointed to replace senior Liberal Democrats suspended nearly two weeks ago.

Cllrs Keith Aspden and Nigel Ayre were required to stand down by the Conservative council boss David Carr on Wednesday, August 30.

He said the two needed to vacate their roles while a standards board inquiry was carried out.

The move sparked a rift between the Conservatives and the Lib Dems, who are in joint control of City of York Council.

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At the time, Cllr Carr said he was not pre-judging the outcome of the investigation, 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.”

Now two long-serving Lib Dem councillors - Keith Orrell and Ann Reid - have been appointed as interim executive members to fill the two empty posts.

Cllr Orrell will be the interim executive member for economic development and community engagement and Cllr Reid will cover culture, leisure and tourism.

And Cllr Andrew Waller, already executive member for the environment, has been appointed temporary deputy leader of the council, to fill the role vacated by Cllr Aspden.

Cllr Waller said: “I want to emphasise that this is an interim arrangement and is about maintaining the business of the council on behalf of the city. Keith and Ann will bring experience from having served on the Executive previously.

“As Liberal Democrats our focus remains on improving the delivery of frontline services. This temporary change will allow a stock check on the way the council functions from the point of view of residents.”