By Alex Metcalfe Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston, chief executive Tony Parkinson and deputy mayor, Cllr Antony High Picture: Teesside Live UNDER pressure Andy Preston says he and a top council officer were “not getting on” at one point – and a mediator had to be called in to improve relations. Deputy mayor Antony High and four independent executive colleagues resigned from the authority’s top executive team on Tuesday – throwing the council’s leadership into turmoil. In an explosive open letter, the group levelled a series of allegations at the Middlesbrough Mayor including accusations of financial management and attempts to disrupt the democratic process.