Randal Brew power bid fine as far as Lib Dems concerned, says Martin Mullaney

He said: "Coun Whitby and Coun Brew are both liked and respected within the Liberal Democrat group and we would happily work with either or both.
"The Liberal Democrat-Conservative partnership in Birmingham has managed to put aside political differences and improve local services.
"Whatever personnel changes occur in the coming weeks, it is important that both political parties maintain this working relationship for the benefit of the citizens of Birmingham."
Brave stuff, particularly since Liberal Democrat group leader Paul Tisley, who is the deputy leader of the council, has steadfastly refused to comment publicly on the Brew-Whitby tussle.
Even more remarkably, Mullaney chose to make his intervention while serving a one-month ban from the Council House.
He was suspended by the Standards Committee after trespassing on private property while making a video to expose the alleged poor condition of a listed building in his Moseley & Kings Heath ward.
The film was shown on Facebook as part of a campaign drawing attention to the plight of historic buildings.
His attempt to have the suspension overruled failed when a judge agreed that Coun Mullaney had been wrong to enter the property uninvited and ought to have apologised to the building's owner, Safdar Zaman.
He is barred from carrying out council duties for a month, prevented from carrying out casework on behalf of constituents and will lose almost £2,000 in wages.