Tom Gordon

REBEL Labour councillors in Glasgow last night said they would defy a "heavy-handed" attempt to stop them discussing the future of city leader Gordon Matheson.

Around half the ruling Labour group have so far signed a motion demanding an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on August 10 in order to oust Matheson.

The mutiny has been brewing since mid-June, when Matheson announced he was standing for the deputy leadership of Scottish Labour and would also run for Holyrood in 2016.

The move angered many of his colleagues, who want a leader focused on the 2017 council election, not one jumping ship to be an MSP.

Under pressure, Matheson agreed to stand down as leader next February, but that is still not soon enough for his critics, who want him out next month.

The feud last week prompted Scottish Labour general secretary Brian Roy to intervene.

In a note distributed by Matheson's chief whip, Cllr James Adams, Roy made it clear "this is not the way we in the Labour party should conduct our business".

There was also a threat that rebels "could face disciplinary action and ultimately suspension is possible".

Matheson's critics claim the move backfired and hardened the resolve for an EGM.

Senior councillors are now writing to Roy to challenge his view of the situation, pointing out that using a motion to call an EGM is entirely within the Labour group's standing orders.

The responses are also expected to insist Glasgow Labour needs a leader focused on the 2017 election, and a rapid timetable is needed to find a replacement.

One Labour rebel said: "This is not about Gordon. He might think it's about him, but it's not. This is about the group exercising their right to set their own timetable for the next leader."