A LEADERSHIP contender in the election to lead Sandwell Labour group made a last ditch attempt to stop the explosive Wragge Report being published before polling.

Langley councillor Yvonne Davies sent an email, which has been leaked to the News, to the deputy chief executive of Sandwell Council Melanie Dudley and the acting leader of the council Cllr Steve Eling requesting the report not be published before tomorrow (Friday) evening's election.

Cllr Davies, cabinet member for adult education, said: "I believe this (The Wragge Report) should be stayed until after the election of the leader and deputy.

"Please consult the QC to ask whether this would be appropriate in the circumstances given that we are talking about the difference of two working days."

Cllr Davies plea was unsuccessful and the report will be published today (Thursday).

The leadership election candidates are Cllr Davies, Cllr Steve Eling (the acting leader) and Cllr Ian Jones, whose conduct concerning the sale of land is included in the Wragge Report.

Cllr Eling is confident the council will survive the ramifications of the contents of the Wragge Report.

He said: “We cannot run away from this, we have to stand up to our problems.

“That is why I wanted the publication of the report to be sooner rather than later because I want us to address whatever problems are found.”

He said: “We are a big organisation with a lot of people and these things happen with members and officers and we cannot pretend that things do not go wrong.”

He added: “My priority is to provide good services for value for money for the people of Sandwell and ensure they have confidence in the council to do that.”

“This is what leadership is all about and I plan to provide it, I will deal with what needs to be dealt with.”

The News has made repeated attempts to speak to Cllr Davies and Cllr Jones over the last two weeks to no avail.

The battle for control of the council was sparked when council leader Darren Cooper died at Easter.

There have been several stormy cabinet meetings over the last week concerning the publication of the report, various leaks to the media and the future direction of the council.

The leadership election was due to go ahead last week but the Labour Party suspended the AGM, it will now go ahead at Oldbury Council House on Friday evening.