PLANS for a "rainbow coalition" at Stockton Borough Council have been knocked back after the three minority groups refused to take part.

It was hoped that under a new coalition, all political and independent groups on the council would have a place in a new cabinet.

Conservative group leader Councillor Ken Lupton said that as no group won a majority vote in the May 3 elections, he was trying to broker a deal where all groups played a part.

However, last night, the Liberal Democrats, Thornaby Independence Association (TIA) and Ingleby Barwick Independence Society (IBIS) rejected any proposal to work with the Labour group.

In a joint statement they said: "This is a clear message from both the Labour and Tory groups that they are not prepared to work without one another."

IBIS leader Councillor Lee Narroway said: "On paper, a rainbow coalition looks great, but we cannot see any sense of returning Labour to power following the local elections."

But Coun Lupton said he was very disappointed by their remarks and said he had believed this to be a perfect opportunity for all groups to be represented.

He said: "It's a sad situation that politicians of a mature age cannot sit down and talk together.

"They have declined to enter into this unique opportunity because they won't sit down with the Labour group, but I'm sure the new executive will be a strong executive, which takes Stockton Borough Council forward.

"The proposal now is that we form an executive of Conservative and Labour members, with myself leading the council. The Labour group might reject that proposal, but we have to form some sort of administration."

A decision on the new executive is expected today.