THE vexed Sandwell Labour Group leadership election meeting was adjourned amid uproar as the vote ended in a dead heat with one spoiled ballot.

The election was due to be between acting council leader Councillor Steve Eling, who was on the ballot after an unsuccessful attempt to bar him, Cllr Ian Jones and Cllr Yvonne Davies.

However, Cllr Jones pulled out before the election leaving it a head to head between Cllr Eling and Davies.

The result was Cllr Eling 34 votes and Cllr Davies 34 votes with one crucial spoiled ballot in which the gaffe-prone voter put a cross next to both Jones and Davies names.

The regional director of the Labour Party Ian Riley ruled that the vote should be rerun on Monday leaving the Davies camp furious.

The election for the deputy leader, in which Cllr Jones was also standing, did not take place.

The explosive Wragge Report into alleged corruption in Sandwell Council was released within an hour of the meeting leaving many councillors unable to digest its contents before voting.

Cllr Eling said after the meeting: "I doubt if any of the councillors read the report before they entered the meeting.

"I'm not sure that will affect that many votes but it could make a difference.

"It is going to be a busy weekend that is for sure."

Charlemont Cllr Liam Preece said: "I voted for Cllr Eling, he is the only person I believe has the integrity to run this council.

"He wanted the Wragge Report published but in the end it was too late for tonight, however, every councillor should have read it by Monday.

"I am looking forward to reading it tonight before I go to bed."

Langley Cllr Davies, who did not want the Wragge Report published before the election, refused to speak to the News despite repeated attempts to get a comment.

A cabinet member, who did not want to be named, said: "If Cllr Davies wins with Cllr Jones as her deputy then I believe there will be Government commissioners running the council within the week."

The leadership election was sparked by the death of former council leader Darren Cooper at Easter.

The winning candidate will be in charge of a 1/2 £billion budget and represent 330,000 voters.

Labour control 71 of the 72 seats on Sandwel Council.