Two councillors have been stripped of their posts by the ruling Labour group in Brighton&Hove.

Leading members of the Labour group have been accused of being control freaks and unable to accept those who challenge the party line. Joyce Edmond-Smith will no longer chair the scrutiny board on culture and lifelong learning and the post will be offered to a member of the Tory opposition instead.

Heather James' role as lead councillor for parks and open spaces has also gone and her portfolio has been taken over by an enlarged leisure and recreation unit, chaired by Mike Middleton. Both councillors defied the group to vote in favour of a public inquiry into the Brighton child cruelty case last month and the move has been described as a punishment.

But council leader Lynette Gwyn-Jones said that had nothing to do with the decisions about their posts which were voted on at the annual group meeting. Labour councillor Kevin Allen said Coun James had carried out her job with flair and panache. He added: "The control freaks can't stand her because she has courage and integrity."

He felt Joyce Edmond-Smith had been an outstanding chair of her scrutiny board, producing an excellent report.Originally councillors were due to vote on whether to keep Coun Edmond-Smith in her position or replace her with Labour loyalist Harry Steer, but at the last moment the leadership changed it to a choice between her and an opposition councillor. The vote was conducted by a show of hands.

Coun Allen said he supported having an opposition chair but added: "What a shabby, pathetic little manoeuvre by our leadership to get themselves off the hook."

Coun Edmond-Smith said: "I find it hard to accept that the leadership saw no role for me in the scrutiny process."

Coun James said she was surprised and hurt that she knew nothing of her disappearing role until she received papers the night before. The vote between her and Coun Middleton was conducted by secret ballot.

Coun Gwyn-Jones said all elections to posts were undertaken fairly and democratically. "The result was what the majority wanted. Everyone has to go along with group decisions after arguing their case. I have to myself even if I disagree."