THE new leader of Middlesbrough's Labour group has said he will not accept a place in a mayoral cabinet - whether or not his own party's candidate is elected.

Councillor Paul Thompson, who was voted leader of Middlesbrough Council's ruling Labour group on Monday night, said yesterday he would be unwilling to join any mayor's cabinet for at least a year, including one led by Labour candidate and deputy leader Sylvia Connolly.

"It's not a political thing and it's not because I am anti the cabinet. I have just got so much to do," he said.

Coun Thompson said on Tuesday he would be happy to work with Ray Mallon if the former head of Middlesbrough CID is elected as mayor on May 2.

But yesterday he scotched suggestions that he would be willing to act as Mr Mallon's deputy.

"I don't know where that came from," he said. "Hopefully Sylvia will be mayor but even if she is, I would not serve in her cabinet or anyone else's. It's not anti-Sylvia or anti-Mallon. I just don't want to dive in at the deep end and take on too much and be unable to handle the situation.

"It's my first year as group leader and I also have my own full-time job and other responsibilities. I'd rather do one thing well than ten things badly."

But Coun Thompson, 55, said he would have no problem with any other Labour group member serving in a Mallon cabinet.

"At the end of the day it's not about me this year. It's about a brand new political system being trialled in Middlesbrough. We are stuck with it so we have got to make it work."

The other candidates in the mayoral race are Liberal Democrat Joe Michna, Conservative Ron Darby, Jeff Fowler of the Socialist Alliance and Independent Rod Jones.