A senior councillor has accused the Harrow Borough Council’s Labour group of 'civil war'.

Cllr David Perry, the portfolio holder for community and cultural services, was voted in as the new group leader at the party’s annual general meeting on Monday April 15.

He will replace Cllr Thaya Idaikkadar as head of the council after the next full council meeting on May 23 where he will be formally elected.

Tory group leader Cllr Susan Hall said the Marlborough ward councillor’s election, only months after Cllr Idaikkar was made leader, revealed the internal strife in the Labour group.

She said: “Just six months ago Labour said it was ‘disrespectful’ to have a vote on who leads the council.

“Now they are attempting to depose Britain’s first Sri Lankan council leader, having all stood up and voted for him publicly last November.

“He deserves better treatment from his colleagues, and I think this decision exposes the civil war in the Labour group for all to see.”