Councillor Andrew Mallinson has been sacked from his high-profile role as Bradford Council's regeneration chief, it emerged today.

Coun Mallinson said he felt "bewildered" after being told to clear his desk by Councillor Kris Hopkins, leader of the Council, during an angry exchange in a meeting at City Hall.

He said he had been fired over personal issues regarding his loyalty to Coun Hopkins and described the decision as "a massive personal blow".

Last week, Coun Mallinson mounted an unsuccessful challenge to Councillor Dale Smith's position as deputy leader of Bradford Council's Conservative group.

"Some of it has been sparked by my challenge for the deputy leadership - that seems to be the only issue," said Coun Mallinson, who was appointed as executive member for regeneration and housing two years ago.

"He seems to have some sort of issue whereby he thinks I was somehow challenging his position.

"My challenge went through the process and was unsuccessful. As far as I was concerned, it was showing my intent to the group that I had ambitions, but I was in no way bitter after the vote and things are amicable between me and the deputy leader.

"It all started last Thursday when I was invited to his office for a chat and he said I am trying to think of a good reason why I shouldn't sack you.' I said let's start with the reason why you should sack me.' "He told me he had got no issues about the job I had been doing, but it was about loyalty to him. At that point, I was told I was sacked, to get out of his office and to clear my desk.

"I was persuaded by Councillor Dale Smith to go in on Monday and have another chat with him. I expected that meeting to be a gentlemanly conversation about the issues, but it lasted all of 30 seconds."

Coun Mallinson said the sacking appeared to be no reflection on his work as regeneration portfolio holder or as chairman of the Keighley and Ilkley Conservatives. He said: "As chairman of the Keighley and Ilkley association, I have just got two new councillors into two hotly contested seats. How can you better support a leader than delivering two new councillors into the Council?"

He sent his best wishes to his successor for regeneration, officers of the Council and the people he had met in the last two years.

Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus last night, Coun Hopkins said: "I had a confidential meeting with Councillor Mallinson, as a consequence of that I have a series of decisions to make.

"It's rather sad that one tries to have a private and confidential meeting and their response is to go to the media - it's extremely sad. I have nothing further to say at this moment in time. I am extremely supportive of the work he has done."

e-mail: will.kilner @telegraphandargus.co.uk