SHEFFIELD Council’s left-wing deputy leader has resigned from her position and declared that she will “take the side of the people” in a local democracy referendum.

Labour councillor Olivia Blake resigned yesterday afternoon after declaring that her position is “untenable” under the leadership of councillor Julie Dore.

Local campaigners who are unhappy with Ms Dore’s leadership have collected 26,000 signatures calling for a referendum on changing the leadership style of the council’s administration to a committee system.