WORCESTER'S Conservative leadership has refused to get into the debate over the new Mayor of Worcester - as more than 150 people signed a petition to boot him out of office.

Members of the city's Tory cabinet said they were unwilling to talk about Councillor Alan Amos and instead want to "move on".

It follows your Worcester News revealing on Saturday how Cllr Amos has called off a major civic due to a holiday, leading to more criticism over the under-fire mayor.

Cllr Amos says he has nothing to say about his rise to the mayoralty, which came about after he resigned from the Labour Party last Sunday to vote in a new-look Tory administration 48 hours later.

The Conservative leadership are now joining him in that stance, saying they have nothing to say.

Councillor Marc Bayliss, deputy leader, said: "We have nothing to say about Alan Amos, we are moving on and running the city."

Leader Councillor Simon Geraghty also told your Worcester News he had nothing to say on it yesterday, after insisting last week that he wanted to focus on being in charge.

The public petition, which calls upon the new mayor to resign had gathered 154 signatures as of this morning.

The organiser, who calls himself Ted Elgar, says he wants to gain 1,000 in total before sending it to Cllr Amos and the council.

As your Worcester News revealed on Saturday, the petition also calls upon Cllr Amos to quit his council seat in Warndon, which would trigger a by-election.

NEW DEPUTY MAYOR SAYS HE HAS "NO ANIMOSITY" OVER IT

THE man Worcester's Conservatives had lined up to become the new city mayor insists he feels "no animosity" - despite not knowing if he will ever take the chains himself.

Veteran Councillor Roger Knight, who represents St Peter's, said he feels no anger after he was effectively replaced as the Tory's candidate to be mayor by Cllr Amos.

The deputy mayor normally goes on to become the first citizen the following year, but Cllr Knight is up for election in 2015 and has not made his mind up about what to do yet.

"I do feel it's useful for any mayor to experience the position of deputy mayor first to prepare you for it," he said.

"But I've got no animosity or regrets, it's just the way it is.

"I'm quite happy to do whatever the city wants me to do, it might sound a bit pompous but that's the way it is.

"Alan was a member of the opposition and we've never really engaged, but we have exchanged pleasantries.

"I know he's a very committed councillor to his ward and I'll fill in where I can a deputy."

REVEREND URGES COUNCILLORS TO BE CAREFUL

A REVEREND has waded into the shenanigans at Worcester City Council - saying he fears the reputation of politicians could be damaged if they overstep the mark.

Reverend John Everest says the public "no longer regards public sparring as a sign of maturity" and expect "integrity and honesty" from councillors.

The vicar also says he is worried people could be discouraged from "taking the local political system seriously".

Rev Everest is the mayor's chaplain and also attends every full council meeting in Worcester to offer prayers at the start.

He delivered a speech at the starting of last week's meeting, and has since reiterated it by saying it has some relevance to what has gone on.

He said: "At a time when the electorate at all levels of Government seems unwilling to give any one political party an overall majority and are increasingly sceptical about the political system we have inherited, it is important the idea of political partnership as an example to the wider community of working together with those with whom you do not necessarily agree is taken seriously.

"These are painful times for many politicians, but the electorate no longer regards public sparring as a sign of maturity, but looks for integrity and honesty in public life."

He also said the public are not impressed with "adversarial confrontations of any kind", citing the "divisions" at the city council.

The reverend also says how the councillors deal with the current situation will be crucial in how the public take the seriousness of Worcester's politics.