THE hard left of the Brighton Labour Party are plotting to ensure Momentum-backed councillors take all the top jobs on the city council.

In an email seen by The Argus, Momentum organisers planned a secret meeting at the Farm Tavern in Brighton to discuss how they planned to take over the leadership of the Labour group ­­– the largest party on the council after Friday’s election count.

Only the Momentum-backed councillors – believed to be 12 of the 20 elected on Friday - were invited to the meeting.

Some councillors – described as ‘the right’ of the party - were not told of the meeting ­which was due to take place tonight ­– the Argus understands.

Momentum organisers planned to ensure their councillors voted together to take as many of the key roles as possible, including leader, deputy leader and chairs of all the decision-making committees.

The positions are to be decided at the local party's annual meeting later this month.

Only elected councillors will be able to vote on who gets the jobs.

The memo, sent out three days before the results of the election were announced, said councillors needed to “agree amongst themselves who will stand for which positions” and “then vote for our agreed candidates”.

It said Brighton was viewed nationally as a flagship ‘Corbyn council’ ­ and if Momentum did not hold the key positions  it would “give the impression that all Corbyn’s promises of a new radicalism are just hot air”.

A leaked Facebook post from a private group called “Brighton and Hove City Council Left Caucus” confirms the meeting had been set to go ahead this evening.

But The Argus understands the meeting was cancelled.

The email also took aim at other Labour councillors, stating they have “clear political differences” and have “made no secret of their hostility to the left and to socialist policies”.

It directly accuses newly elected Labour councillor for Westbourne ward, Chris Henry, of plotting with Hove MP Peter Kyle.

Councillor Henry said: “For me the idea that I’m plotting and planning for internal party manoeuvres is laughable.

“I’m still celebrating that I got elected like any normal person would.

“This is a an unnecessary distraction by people who will have no say in the actual election to committee positions and should be treated as such.

“Those elected are all thrilled to be the administration and will remain focussed on improving our city in the way we promised in our manifesto.”

A spokesman for Brighton Momentum said the group would not comment on a leaked email.