Labour sends party officials to improve deputy PM's local council

ACTION TAKEN AFTER DAMNING REPORTS INTO TOWN HALL'S CHILDREN'S SERVICES

- JOSEPH TIMAN

LABOUR is sending party officials to deputy prime minister Angela Rayner's 'backyard' in a move that could see her local council leader ousted.

The national party has accused Tameside council's ruling Labour group of 'unacceptable working practice' after a series of damning reports into its children's services. A 'campaign improvement board' will now be set up to bring about the 'culture change' needed.

It follows the departure of the council's chief executive, Sandra Stewart, who quit this week amid long-standing failures within the authority's children's services. Local MPs Ms Rayner, Jonathan Reynolds and Andrew Gwynne have all welcomed the resignation.