A COUNCIL has defended the job appointment of the daughter of two councillors - one of whom is the deputy leader.

Graduate Sarah Connolly has been appointed as political assistant to Middlesbrough Borough Council's controlling Labour group, of which her councillor parents, Sylvia and Geoff, are members.

Sylvia Connolly is also deputy leader of the council. Neither of them was on the selection panel which gave Sarah the job.

A council spokeswoman said: "Appointments to any position that arises are made on the basis of merit.

"We have very robust, open recruitment and selection procedures which are there to ensure that a conflict of interest cannot arise.

"All candidates must declare if they are related to a councillor or senior officer of the council so we can take steps to ensure the relative is in no way involved in the selection process."

The spokeswoman added: "If we prevented a candidate from applying for a job because they were related to a member or officer of the council, we would be acting illegally.

"The rules are there to ensure all candidates are treated equally and to make sure we get the best person for the job."