A senior councillor has accused his leader of failing his party and called for his resignation.

Kevin Allen, who resigned last week as deputy chairman of Brighton and Hove City Council's housing committee, said the authority's leader Ken Bodfish had destroyed his party's unity and threatened its future.

He was referring to the housing crisis that rocked the council last week, leading to multiple resignations and a vote of no confidence in Coun Bodfish.

The future of council housing was due to be decided at a full meeting, with transfer to an arms-length management organisation (Almo) the most likely outcome.

But the vote was suddenly withdrawn following receipt of a letter from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister which contained new information about transfer to a housing association.

Officers said the item should be removed from the agenda.

But Coun Allen and Councillor Jack Hazelgrove, who both prefer the Almo option, said the letter contained nothing the housing committees did not already know.

They accused Ken Bodfish of bowing to political pressure from John Prescott, who is known to prefer the housing association option.

Coun Hazelgrove resigned as chairman of the housing committee and the council passed a vote of no confidence. Coun Allen said: "Ken has created this crisis.

"He has destroyed the unity that kept the Labour minority afloat and he should pay the price.

"That amounts to resignation.

"It would be in the best interest of the council for somebody more open, more naturally inclusive and integrative to take over."

Coun Allen criticised Coun Bodfish's reaction to the crisis, accusing him of a failure to comprehend the seriousness of the debate. He said: "The vote of no confidence should have occasioned at the very least a more reflective and contrite response."

Coun Allen said the events of last week had highlighted the need for a fundamental change in the political culture.

He said: "It is offensive to the democratic principle for officers to withdraw major policy items from an agenda contrary to the wishes of the committee chairman.

"Obtaining reluctant majorities by browbeating colleagues and ignoring legitimate objections should be a thing of the past."

Coun Bodfish refuted Coun Allen's accusations, saying the decision to delay the vote had been entirely democratic.

He said: "The decision by the Labour group to delay was passed by an overwhelming majority."

Coun Bodfish said Coun Allen's integrity could also be questioned, referring to his preference for Almos despite the majority of tenants preferring transfer to a housing association they own and run. Coun Bodfish said: "Jack Hazelgrove and Kevin Allen were the two leading opponents against the option preferred by tenants on the evaluation panel. What I want to do is ensure that the tenants' voice is heard."

On Coun Allen's call for him to resign, he said: "He can put that to the Labour group."