Tory Cabinet boss Graham Forshaw came under fire today after delivering a humiliating snub to women.

The row erupted after Mr Forshaw failed to appoint a single woman on to West Sussex County Council's new seven-strong decision-making Cabinet.

It is the latest in a series of controversies sparked by the leader, whose party voted him a massive pay rise at the end of last year.

The £15,000-a-year leader claimed he had picked the most experienced team available for a 12-month experiment with a new system of local government.

He added: "I also had to bear in mind that the members of the Cabinet will be working full time, but I hope in future there will be room for others to join."

But today he was attacked by women councillors over his stance.

Lib Dem councillor Margaret Collins said: "I have to say I am very disappointed they are all men. It is incredible there is not a woman in the

Cabinet in the Year 2000."

Irene Richards, Lib Dem representative for East Worthing, said: "It is very disappointing, but it sums up the Tory party at county level, which does not encourage their ladies to take part."

Frieda Warman-Brown, lead councillor for education on Brighton and Hove Council, said: "It is appalling - it is not right for the 21st Century. It worries me that with more than 50 per cent of the population being women, that they are not being represented in this new Cabinet. It must be very frustrating for the women on that

council."

But Coun Forshaw's fellow nine Conservative women councillors on the 71-strong county council, 19 of whom are women, defended their leader.

Coun Elizabeth Newell, who represents Littlehampton Town ward, said: "I'm not a feminist and it doesn't worry me in the slightest.

"The majority of the Conservative group are men and many women, particularly with large families, are just unable to give as much time to the work.

"It may upset some people, but I think it sounds a good choice."

Margaret Winn (Arundel and Angmering) said: "Graham picked the best and most experienced Cabinet and I am quite sure they will represent all points of view. I do not see it as a snub for women. It is absolutely nothing of the kind."

The row is the latest one to beset the controversial leader.

Coun Forshaw came under fire after cutting costs by closing four care homes, forcing elderly residents to move out.

He also scrapped hot school meals in a bid to save £500,000, sparking a huge public outcry.

But he refused to back down and months later 500 school dinner staff are still waiting for their redundancy payments.

The council was also accused of wasting taxpayers' money after advertising for a £15,000-a-year co-ordinator to organise a huge Mexican Wave this summer.

Coun Forshaw complained to Home Secretary Jack Straw after the Argus published details of how he and other councillors voted at a secret meeting on the future of Sussex Chief Constable Paul Whitehouse.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.