THE Liberal Democrat leader of Newcastle City Council is to stand down two years after his party seized control after 30 years of Labour control.
Councillor Peter Arnold, who has led the Lib-Dem group on the authority for eight years, said he needed a rest.
He said yesterday, in the wake of Thursday's elections, that he would not be putting his name forward when the group holds leadership elections later this month, ahead of the council's annual meeting.
"I believe in moving on when it is appropriate. I believe that now is the right time for me and the group I lead," he said.
He added: "Quite frankly, I need a rest. I'm exhausted, physically and mentally, and it is about time someone else took over."
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