A TORY councillor will launch a shock bid to become leader of Salisbury City Council on Monday night.

Cllr Matthew Dean, leader of the Conservative group on the council, will try to oust independent Andrew Roberts, who is now leader and Salisbury Mayor.

Cllr Dean leads ten Tory councillors on the 23 seat council.

Labour have seven, the Lib Dems have three, and there are two independents and one Green.

Cllr Dean said: "We are the largest group on the council and we would like a shot running it by ourselves."

Members will vote on who they want to be leader at a full council meeting on Monday night.

The Conservative group has expressed concern over Cllr Roberts’ dual role as leader and mayor.

Labour councillor John Walsh will be unable to make the meeting because of a long-standing commitment, while Lib Dem James Robertson may also struggle to attend.

If both are absent, the Conservative group would need just one extra vote to secure victory.

Independent Margaret Willmot has refused to say how she will vote, but Green councillor Michael Pope says he will back Andrew Roberts.

Cllr Pope said: "I have promised my vote to Andrew Roberts.

“It is not ideal to have the mayor and the leader in dual roles, but I have concerns about Matt Dean's temperament as leader."

If only Cllr Walsh is absent, then a possible tie would mean the mayor, Cllr Roberts, would have the casting vote.

And he says he would have no qualms about voting for himself, quashing concerns about any conflict of interest and saying he could operate “with two hats on".

"I think I am doing a reasonable job," he said.

"But we will see what the outcome of the vote is on Monday. I believe in the will of the council."

The Labour group has already given its backing to councillor Roberts, with group leader Michael Osment saying a leadership bid from another Conservative would be more likely to in succeed.

He said his group were concerned a Tory leader would change the committee chairmen, which are currently split between the three main parties.

"We fully support Andrew Roberts," Cllr Osment said.

"He has done a good job and the system we have has worked."