THE acting leader of Sandwell Council Councillor Steve Eling will be on the ballot for tonight’s leadership election after a bid to remove him failed.

The national Labour Party’s constitutional unit ruled that Cllr Eling’s nomination is valid after last night’s attempt to bar him from standing due to a technicality.

Deputy leader of the Labour Party, West Bromwich East MP Tom Watson MP, welcomed the news.

He said: “I am sure everyone will relieved that Cllr Eling has been allowed to be on the ballot.

“Voters of Sandwell who vote for Labour councillors would have taken a dim view of such bureaucratic politics which does nothing for internal democracy.”

Cllr Eling described the move as "political skullduggery."

Wednesbury North Cllr Pete Hughes, who is running the election, caused consternation in the party last night by barring Cllr Eling.

He refused to speak to the News this morning concerning recent events.

Cllr Eling has been vocal in his desire to publish the Wragge Report into alleged corruption at Sandwell Council whereas his opponents councillors Yvonne Davies and Ian Jones do not want the report published.

The leadership election was due to take place last week but was suspended by the national Labour Party, it is however, expected to take place at Oldbury Council House at 6.30pm.