It was business as usual for under-fire Sandwell Council leader Steve Eling as he chaired a short cabinet meeting yesterday (Wednesday, January 30).

Last week, Councillor Eling was dramatically suspended by Labour's National Executive Council meaning he cannot lead the local party.

But the suspension does not prevent him for carrying on as leader of the authority. This would only change if the local Labour group move a vote of no-confidence in him, forcing a formal vote in the council chamber.

Steve Eling, Leader of Sandwell Council.
Steve Eling, Leader of Sandwell Council.

The cabinet meeting lasted just six minutes and Councillor Eling made no reference to the controversy.

Instead, he conducted the formalities before moving on to the main issues on the agenda, including the approval of 16 new council homes at Alfred Gunn House in Oldbury.

It is not known why Councillor Eling has been suspended from the party and he has remained tight-lipped about the situation while the NEC is conducting its investigation into the matter.

The shock suspension came after months of internal fighting within the group and a spate of embarrassing allegations and investigations involving former council members who have since stepped down.

Sandwell Council.
Sandwell Council.

Halesowen MP James Morris, a long-time critic of the leader, called for the council 'swamp' to be cleaned up in the wake of Councillor Eling's suspension.

A Labour Party spokesman said: “The Labour Party takes all complaints extremely seriously, which are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures and any appropriate disciplinary action is taken.

"We cannot comment on individual cases.”