The leader of Birmingham City Council, John Clancy, has stepped down amid growing pressure from the media and central government.

In a statement on his blog, Cllr Clancy said: ‘It has become clear to me that frenzied media speculation about the Birmingham waste dispute is beginning to harm Birmingham City Council and the Birmingham Labour Party.

'I can see no end to such speculation, as ill-informed as much of it is, for as long as I remain leader.

‘I have therefore decided to resign both as leader of the Labour group and as the leader of Birmingham City Council with immediate effect.’

The announcement comes after communities secretary Sajid Javid called for the Birmingham Independent Improvement Panel (BIIP) to give him an ‘urgent’ update on what was happening in the city in light of the bin strike.