Richard Bingley was left with no option but to resign after his disastrous handling of the Armada Way trees scandal.

Felling over 100 trees without proper public consultation was an act of environmental vandalism. The sole responsibility lies with Bingley for ordering the chainsaws in and the Tory Council for signing it off.

Bingley’s resignation is only the latest chapter of Tory instability plaguing Plymouth City Council after Nick Kelly’s suspension last year. Plymouth City Council now needs to see strong leadership – only a Labour controlled council after May’s local elections will deliver the stability our city needs.