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Steve Eling named new Sandwell Council leader

Steve Eling has been elected as Sandwell Council's new leader after a controversial vote.

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Councillor Eling emerged victorious as leader of the controlling Labour group against Yvonne Davies, winning by 36 votes to 23.

But there was controversy when but a dozen councillors were told they couldn't vote because they owe subscription money to the Labour party.

On Friday, Councillor Eling, who has been acting leader, and Councillor Davies both received 34 votes each, with one spoilt paper preventing a winner from being declared.

Councillor Ian Jones withdraw from the race before Friday's Labour group leader vote, which took place within hours of the publication of the long-awaited Wragge report into land deals at the council.

The Wragge report revealed a series of council code of conduct breaches by former council deputy leader Mahboob Hussain.

Councillor Steve Eling

Calls have now been made for Councillor Hussain's resignation and a protest will take place today by Sandwell UKIP ahead of the mayor-making ceremony.

The Wragge report revealed former deputy leader Mahoob Hussain had breached council rules – including signing off on land sales to his friend at undervalue.

Hussain also demanded parking tickets issued to members of his family be quashed or reduced in a series of council code of conduct breaches, the report revealed.

Councillor Davies said after the vote: "I was robbed.

"I was voted leader on Friday, if they needed to re-run it I don't know why it couldn't be done that evening.

"I am absolutely appalled at the gerrymandering to prevent a woman from becoming leader of Sandwell Council."

She also insisted she will remain with the Labour party and would be seeking legal advice following the vote.

The leadership election was triggered by the death of Darren Cooper earlier this year.

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