A POLITICAL row over 100 fibreglass model toads shows no sign of fizzling out.

As first revealed on the Mail's website, Hull City Council leader Councillor Carl Minns yesterday pulled the plug on £200,000 worth of funding from the authority for the project.

The decision was made just 48 hours after it was championed by Rick Welton, one of his own cabinet members.

Cllr Minns said he could not justify the use of taxpayers' money for the project, which is part of a city festival later this summer marking the 25th anniversary of the death of poet Philip Larkin.

The original decision approving the funding was made by a council officer.

But opposition Labour leader Councillor Steve Brady has accused Cllr Minns of trying to put the blame for the public backlash over the idea on the officer.

"I think it's absolutely shameful that Cllr MInns is not taking responsibility for this.

"His own cabinet member was totally supportive of the project when he was interviewed about it on Friday and now they are trying to pass the buck onto an officer who cannot defend himself in public.

"I think Cllr Minns should hang his head in shame."

Cllr Minns said he had been unaware of the decision record authorising the funding until he started taking calls about it while attending the Liberal Democrats' spring conference at Birmingham over the weekend.

He also defended Cllr Welton's role in the controversy after it was revealed he is a director of the company set up to run the Larkin25 festival.

"I am confident there has been no conflict of interest on Rick's behalf, he did not take any part in the decision-making process for this funding," he added.