SANDWELL Council cabinet members councillors Mahboob Hussain and Ian Jones resigned after a “fresh allegation” the council's normal procedures were not followed over the sale of old public toilets.

Sandwell Council leader, Cllr Darren Cooper, has backed both men's decision to stand down.

He said; “Both Cllr. Hussain and Cllr. Jones have done the right thing over standing down.

“They both want a clean break from front-line politics so that they can focus all their effort on clearing their names and setting the record straight.”

Cllr Hussain, who has stood down as deputy leader and Cllr Jones,  who was cabinet member for jobs and economy, said they are going to concentrate their efforts on clearing their names over allegations of wrong-doing concerning the sale of old toilet blocks in Sandwell.

A Labour Party spokesman said: “Cllr Mahboob Hussain, who resigned from his powerful deputy leader and Cllr Ian Jones have announced that they believe that it is in the best interests of the borough that they stand aside as cabinet members so that the matter can be thoroughly and impartially investigated.”

Pressure for Cllr Hussain to resign began when West Midlands Police announced an investigation was being launched in September concerning land deals.

Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris called for him to resign so he could clear his name and earlier this month Local Government supremo Eric Pickles also urged Cllr Hussain to resign.

A Labour Party spokesman added: “Both men strenuously deny any impropriety and have vowed to co-operate fully with any inquiry.

“At the same time they have made a voluntary request to be placed on administrative suspension by the Labour Party.”