LIVERPOOL has not yet proved it is ready to claim radical new powers on offer to Manchester after its vicious political infighting, a government minister said yesterday.
Phil Woolas said the city had been through a "traumatic time" with the well-publicised feud between ex-council leader Mike Storey and former chief executive Sir David Henshaw.
The clash had diverted Liverpool's attention from vital tasks such as preparations for the Capital of Culture year and the regeneration of rundown areas, the local government minister said.
Asked if - three months after Sir David's departure - Liverpool was on the road to recovery, Mr Woolas replied: "It is too early to judge."
The verdict, in an interview with the Daily Post, is a serious blow to the city just four months before the Government unveils its plans to devolve more power to so-called "city-regions".
Well-run sub-regions - stretching over travel-to-work areas - will be given bigger budgets, control over transport, skills and regeneration and freedom from most Whitehall inspections.
But a report to ministers earlier this year said only Manchester and Birmingham were ready.
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