Ousted Bradford Council leader Councillor John Ryan is expected to contest a leadership battle during preparations for the biggest shake-up in the authority's history.

It is understood Coun Ryan hopes to regain the top job at the group's annual general meeting next month. He lost the leadership after a shock Labour group vote following last May's Council elections.

Today, some Labour insiders suggest there is unease over the regime now being led by his former deputy, Council leader Councillor Ian Greenwood.

They claim support for Coun Ryan is growing as the Council approaches the most sensitive period of its history.

Under the proposed local authority shake-up it could have Westminster-style cabinet rule, with a leader or mayor elected by the people. There is also an alternative of an elected mayor and powerful manager.

Coun Greenwood, a Little Horton ward councillor, is considering an all-Labour cabinet and leader, which would have private meetings.

Coun Ryan favours an all-party cabinet and leader, with meetings open to the press and public. He has not ruled out the possibility of an elected mayor.

One insider said a small group of Labour members was already ruling the authority and had constantly undermined Coun Ryan while he was leader.

Another Labour insider said Coun Greenwood had spoken out about secretiveness when he won the leadership.

"Now these arguments can no longer be used because things are even presented to the Labour group as a fait accompli after private meetings between a few people - and Ian Greenwood himself is being forced to modernise," said the source.

Coun Greenwood took the leadership by only four votes in a secret ballot at the group's annual general meeting last May. He became the Council's fifth leader in eight years.

He said the claims of unrest in the group about his leadership were untrue but did not wish to comment further.

Today Coun Ryan (Lab, Bowling) said he could not discuss his position.

Final six bid for the Bradford hot seat

A shortlist of six high-fliers are in the battle to land the top job with Bradford Council.

It is understood the rivals for the post of chief executive with Britain's fourth largest metropolitan authority include two top officers already with the Council.

The authority is tight-lipped about the names, but the Telegraph & Argus understands acting chief executive Philip Robinson and director of social services Liam Hughes are in the running. The interviews finish tomorrow but it is likely to be several weeks before an announcement.

The appointment follows the early retirement on sickness grounds of former chief executive Richard Penn, 52, who was suffering from stress.

The pay scale is pitched between £86,000 and £101,000 compared with Mr Penn's £120,000-a-year salary.

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