Councillor Andrew Mallinson, who has been Bradford Council's executive member for regeneration for the past two years, said he was sacked and told to clear his desk after a meeting with Coun Kris Hopkins.

Coun Mallinson said: "It came as a complete surprise. I am shocked. Councillor Hopkins has made it very clear he cannot work with me so on those grounds – even if I could hang onto the job – if the leader of the council is not prepared to work with me, I am a bit stuck."

The councillor last week made an unsuccessful challenge for the deputy leadership of the council's Conservative group.

Coun Hopkins said: "I had a confidential meeting with Councillor Mallinson. As a consequence of that I have a series of decisions to make.

"Discussions between the main party leaders on the future leadership of the authority will continue in the coming days. Next Tuesday's Annual General Meeting will give the agreed council leader the opportunity to outline the make-up of their team for the next 12 months."