Bradford Council's Conser-vative group was last night ordered to keep its former regeneration boss Councillor Simon Cooke on the back benches.

Opposition groups backed a motion of no confidence in him just hours after he stepped down as a member of the ruling executive. And Labour group leader Councillor Ian Green-wood (Lab, Little Horton) warned: "We will not support any administration which has him as a member of the executive."

Coun Cooke has reacted angrily to Labour's actions and has called for an apology.

As exclusively revealed in the Telegraph & Argus yesterday, Coun Cooke (Con, Bingley Rural) quit following criticism of the authority's handling of a £1.2 billion land and facilities deal which would allow many of the Council's properties to be managed privately.

Ever since Labour handed control of the powerful executive committee to the Tories almost two years ago there had been a fragile peace between the two groups.

But last night, at a boisterous full Council meeting ahead of next month's local elections, the two sides clashed over the controversial Asset Management Project (AMP) and Coun Cooke's role in it. Leader of the Council and its Tory group Councillor Margaret Eaton (Con, Bingley Rural) repeated the findings of last month's Audit Commission report which laid the blame with paid officers - not elected members.

But Coun Greenwood said: "Coun Cooke demonstrated a failure to learn, to lead and listen, and failed to show any regret or responsibility.

"We are where we are today as a result of a political decision and someone has to take political responsibility."

Councillor David Ward (Lib Dem, Idle and Thackley) agreed: "He had a responsibility to deliver to the Council officers political support for the proposals. That was his responsibility and he clearly did not do that."

But Coun Eaton defended Coun Cooke's record and accused opposition groups of "opportunism". She said: "The Labour group and Liberal Dem-ocrat group had many opportunities to vote against the AMP and come to the Council with a motion that would change it."

She said Labour had a 'vendetta' against Coun Cooke and accused the group of mismanaging the education service, housing stock and Rawson's Market when it was in power:

Speaking after the meeting Coun Cooke said: "I am appalled that the Labour party were allowed to submit an amendment calling for my removal from a committee that I am not a member of. I am demanding a full explanation and apology."