FORMER bin boss Clr Jeff Richards has slammed the new Lib Dem/Tory controlled council for trying to blame Labour for the controversial closed lid policy.

Clr Richards, who was in charge of refuse collection until the May elections, said at no time did he have any discussions with council officers about the introduction of the policy'.

He said: "At first the Lib Dems said this was a safety measure, then they said it was to promote recycling. When the public saw through these flimsy excuses it was time to find somebody else to blame for the Lib Dem failure.

"They should own up to their own mistakes not pass the buck."