KIRKLEES Council has failed to elect a new leader, leaving the authority's chief executive in charge.

In highly unusual scenes yesterday, the minority Labour leadership failed in its bid to elect its new leader, Councillor Shabir Pandor, as leader of the authority.

Cllr Pandor had won a Labour leadership challenge against his predecessor, Heckmondwike councillor David Sheard (pictured), earlier this month.

At the annual meeting of Kirklees Council yesterday, Cllr Pandor urged councillors from all parties to vote for change by electing him to the overall leader's role.

But the opposition parties, who normally allow the largest party's leader to become council leader, voted him down, with each group leader questioning his credentials.

Cllr Andrew Cooper, who leads the authority's Green group, said contrary to reports, it would not back Cllr Pandor.

He said: "Trust is vital in the role of a leader. Trust in their ability and trust in what they say."

The council is temporarily being led by chief executive Adrian Lythgo.