Political strife deepened at City Hall last night after Labour rejected power-sharing proposals. And the party is set to refuse top jobs in the Council's 'Cabinet'.

Leading members of all three parties - Labour, Tories and the Lib-Dems - and their Chief Whips faced stalemate in private meetings at City Hall.

Afterwards, Labour Group leader Councillor Ian Greenwood condemned a "secret Tory/Lib-Dem pact" and said his group would be prepared to go into total opposition.

The Labour Party in Bradford has been in retreat after its loss of control of the authority in last week's elections. The Council is now hung with 41 Labour members, 37 Tories, 11 Liberal Democrats and one Green Party member.

Tory Group leader Councillor Margaret Eaton is widely expected to be elected as Council Leader, with support from the Liberal Democrats, at next week's annual meeting.

The Labour Group has been offered three top positions, or portfolios, on the Executive Committee - the same number as the Tories. But Coun Greenwood said he would recommend to his group meeting on Monday to reject the power-sharing proposal and turn down portfolios. He will recommend Labour accept seats on the Executive Committee, however, without taking on the top jobs. He said: "There is no question - they have done a secret deal and they are trying to manipulate us into a situation."

He claimed the other groups were not prepared to accept the responsibility themselves. "This start doesn't bode well for the district. We would be in total opposition."

The Liberal Democrats and Tories deny a pact has been made and say they believe the parties have common ground and can work together on some issues while keeping the pledges to their own voters.

Councillor Richard Wightman, deputy leader of the Tory Group, said: "It is clearly appropriate there should be a power-sharing situation. The offer of the portfolios will be maintained.

"If they do not take them, the people of Bradford have to make their own conclusions. It is clear that it is Labour which is running away from responsibilities."

Local Government Minister Hilary Armstrong is said to be keeping a close eye on the situation.

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