Sandwell Council leadership row: Storm over 'appalling' vote

Councillor Steve Eling emerged victorious in his bid to become chief of the controlling Labour group against Yvonne Davies, winning by 36 votes to 23.

Last night he was being confirmed as the authority's leader at a full council meeting.

But there was a storm at the Labour vote on Monday when 11 councillors were told they could not take part, because they owe outstanding subscription money to the Labour party.

The affected councillors were only informed hours before the vote – and had all been allowed to participate in a first leadership ballot on Friday. West Bromwich West MP Adrian Bailey said this left 'a bitter legacy within the Labour group'.

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

Councillor Ian Jones withdrew 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.

Councillor Davies said last night: "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.

Referring to the 11 members who were booted out of the meeting, he said: "Some of the people who were excluded from participating were going to vote for me, so it's certainly not election manipulation on my part."

Councillor Syeda Khatun was named as deputy leader.