Senior Sandwell councillor accused of wrongdoing will not be replaced before election

Sandwell Council's deputy leader Councillor Mahboob Hussain and jobs and economy boss Councillor Ian Jones resigned after a 'fresh' allegation came to light relating to the sale of council owned land. Both men strenuously deny wrongdoing and have vowed to clear their names.

However, council leader Councillor Darren Cooper has said it is proposed that neither man will be replaced in the cabinet as there are only two months to go before the General Election in May, which will be followed by the Labour group's annual general meeting, when the leadership is voted on.

Instead Councillor Cooper will take on the 'neighbourhoods' brief that was held by Councillor Hussain while Councillor Steve Eling will take over Councillor Jones' jobs and economy role.

Councillor Cooper said: "The decision will be taken at Wednesday's cabinet meeting."

He also confirmed neither he nor Councillor Eling will receive any additional taxpayer funded allowances for the additional duties.

As deputy leader Councillor Hussain was entitled to £23,650 a year in allowances while Councillor Jones, as a cabinet member, was eligible for £15,768.

Police have also been investigating allegations made in October over 'irregularities' concerning the sale of council land to Councillor Hussain's son.

Councillor Hussain, who represents Oldbury, had already stood aside from his role chairing the council's asset management and land disposal committee, but remained deputy leader until last Friday.

It was the first time Councillor Jones, who represents Tipton Green, had been dragged into the row. He was also on the asset management and land disposal committee.

Both men remain ward councillors.

Dean Perks, UKIP's candidate for Halesowen and Rowley Regis, has called for an independent public inquiry.

He said: "The lack of opposition for so long in Sandwell has meant no scrutiny of the Labour group. For probably the first time in his tenure I believe the leader, Councillor Darren Cooper has some very difficult decisions to make."

The latest allegation was that normal processes and procedures were not followed 'in relation to the sale of some redundant public toilets'. The toilets are understood to be Albert Street, Oldbury, Jervoise Lane in Stone Cross and The Shambles, Wednesbury.

Councillor Hussain has also faced questions over the sale of the old Smethwick coroner's office in Crocketts Lane to his son Azeem Hafeez.

The councillors also made a 'voluntary request to be placed on administrative suspension by the Labour party', the party said in a statement.

Communities secretary Eric Pickles has, meanwhile, said he believed it was right for Councillor Hussain to stand down from his cabinet post.

The Tory minister said the councillor had to focus on answering the allegations and that standing down was the 'sensible' thing to do.

Last September Councillor Hussain apologised after it was revealed that he had failed to declare a business interest in Five Star Taxis which was awarded contracts by Sandwell Council.