Labour leader Ken Bodfish has denied rumours he is to stand down in the next two weeks.

Rumours have been growing that Coun Bodfish would resign as leader of the Labour group on Brighton and Hove City Council following a growing rift between him and some of his colleagues.

According to sources within the party, there has been growing pressure on him to relinquish his leadership and hand over the title to a colleague.

One Labour Party supporter who knows Coun Bodfish said: "He will be up for re-election by his party in May but it could be he might go a lot sooner. There are people in the party who are trying to push it."

But Coun Bodfish, who is currently on business in Bristol, said he had no intention of standing down and would to lead his party into the next local elections in May next year.

Coun Bodfish said: "It's news to me if I'm resigning. Quite on the contrary.

"I plan to stay as long as I have the confidence of the Labour group and the people in this city. I believe the vast majority of those people are happy.

"There has always been a small group of people who are opposed to my leadership and who have never supported me. That is how it is in any political party.

"There has always been a few individuals who want a left-wing council, are negative and can't accept that we have to take very difficult decisions."

Coun Bodfish lost a vote of confidence over his handling of a key housing vote last year. Two councillors resigned from their posts as committee chairmen over the incident.

At the time, councillors Jack Hazelgrove and Francis Tonks said they had lost confidence in Coun Bodfish and called for him to go.

But Coun Bodfish said: "Leading the council is very difficult and very hard work.

"It means taking difficult decisions on issues like housing, the King Alfred, the Marina and city academies.

"I am trying to lead this council in such a way that it is fit for the 21st Century."

However, opposition leaders were more frank.

Conservative leader Garry Peltzer Dunn said: "There is a leadership tussle and some members of his own party seem to be unhappy. I have heard very strong rumours that members are unhappy with Ken Bodfish still being leader and are looking for a change."

Coun Peltzer Dunn said he respected Coun Bodfish but added this year was key to all parties with elections soon.

He said: "All parties have to make a decision if there's going to be a change. I would advise Labour to make the change as soon as possible to give the new leader a good run-up to 2007."

Liberal Democrat Paul Elgood said: "He is totally isolated, now. It looks like Simon Burgess will emerge as the victor if Ken goes now.

"I think he should stand down and do his party a favour. He's had his day and a new leader needs about two years to turn a situation around."

Green convenor Keith Taylor said: "Over the years Ken has displayed an outdated approach and the city is not well served through his leadership."