THE deadlock gripping Kirklees Council could be resolved in seven days.

An extraordinary meeting of the council has been called for next Wednesday evening.

And between now and then, politicians of all colours will be jostling for position as the council continues without any group in control.

Council leader Kath Pinnock and the Cabinet of eight Lib-Dem councillors and one Green resigned last week, in a row over police merger talks.

The Lib-Dems have called next week's special meeting and will seek to establish an all-party Cabinet to run the council.

But they face opposition from the Tories - who have just two seats fewer - as they have tabled a proposal to take charge of the Cabinet.

Leading councillors from all the parties met chief executive Rob Vincent yesterday to approve next week's crucial meeting.

Mr Vincent is taking any urgent decisions about council matters, after consulting all the parties.

The shock resignations meant that a Cabinet committee meeting planned for today has been cancelled, but other meetings have gone ahead.

The Lib-Dems, the largest group on the council, today reiterated their support for Clr Pinnock as leader.

Clr Robert Iredale said: "Conservative and Labour councillors have attacked Clr Pinnock over a spurious and totally false accusation concerning the proposed merger of the two police divisions in Kirklees.

"The Liberal Democrat group reaffirmed its complete support and confidence in Clr Pinnock as leader of the Liberal Democrat group," he added.

"We did so because she has been a very effective and constructive leader, both of the group and the council.

"Clearly there is still much to improve, but matters have progressed very effectively and positively under her leadership."

The Labour group does not want Clr Pinnock as council leader, but has not yet tabled any proposals for next week's meeting.