THE SHERIFF of Southampton Councillor Harry Mitchell has switched parties again and joined the city council's Labour group.

Cllr Mitchell, pictured, who represents the Coxford Ward and is a country and western music fan, announced his decision yesterday.

He said he had decided to quit the Independents because of his "dissatisfaction" with the ruling Liberal Democrats - particularly their controversial "twin bin" rubbish collection scheme which is currently being rolled out in Bassett.

Cllr Mitchell also launched a stinging attack on Independent group leader Councillor Paul Russell.

He told the Daily Echo that Cllr Russell had been "looking after number one" with his decision to join the Liberal Democrat cabinet.

Cllr Mitchell said: "The fact is the Liberal Democrats took a little bit of umbridge when I voted against the rubbish collection scheme. They said I was going against the administration. Even if you are part of the administration, you don't have to agree with them all the time."

He added: "Paul Russell was supposed to be in the Independent Group but all he has ever done is to leave me messages all the time.

"He got what he wanted so you can't really call us a group. I thought I would go back to my old roots. I was in the Labour Party. I asked them and got accepted."

Councillor Russell hit back. He said: "I am not surprised that he has jumped ship yet again. I am only surprised he has not applied to join the Conservatives. He has tried everywhere else."

It is the fourth time in three years that Councillor Mitchell has changed sides. He was elected as a Liberal Democrat councillor in 2001 but later quit to become an Independent Liberal Democrat. He briefly rejoined the Lib Dem fold before joining the breakaway Liberal Group last year.

It has also emerged that Cllr Mitchell had applied to rejoin the Liberal Democrat Group earlier this year.

Cllr Mitchell's decision does not affect the overall balance of power in Southampton. The Liberal Democrats are still the largest group with 18 seats. The Independents are down to one member - Cllr Russell. Labour's numbers increase from 16 to 17 seats with the Tories still on 12.