DUDLEY'S former deputy leader has spoken publicly for the first time after his failed leadership bid.

Cllr Shaukat Ali made his move to depose leader cllr David Sparks at Dudley Council's ruling group's AGM last week.

However Labour councillors chose overwhelmingly to support cllr Sparks and also voted cllr Ali out of his job as deputy leader, replacing him with finance supremo cllr Pete Lowe.

A senior member of the group confirmed councillors felt leaving cllr Ali as deputy would undermine the authority of the leader and he had to go.

Cllr Shaukat Ali said: "It has been a great honour and privilege to serve the people of the borough of Dudley as deputy leader and cabinet member for regeneration over the last 12 months.

"I'm proud to be a member of the Labour group in which I believe I played an instrumental role in taking it from opposition into power.

"As far as voting is concerned, that is an internal group party matter and I don't wish to comment further on this.

"For me the party is first and foremost, I will continue contribute to ensure we stand up for the people of Dudley during this difficult economic time when people are finding it difficult to make ends meet.

"I will continue to lobby the government for a fair deal for the people of Dudley and for the people in St Thomas's ward, who have put their trust and confidence in me to represent them over the last 13 years."