FRANK McAveety’s leadership of Glasgow Council is under further strain after it emerged that a meeting was called to voice concerns about his commitment to gender equality.

The summit was staged last week amid claims McAveety’s future in the top job is not secure.

McAveety became leader of Scotland’s largest local authority after defeating fellow councillor Malcolm Cunning 24-19 in September. It is the second time the former MSP and Culture Minister has held the role.

However, his six months in charge have been dogged by infighting, leaks and controversy.

Critics believe he lacks vision and say his key appointments do not reflect the party’s commitment to gender balance.

The rows came to a head last month when McAveety appointed Phil Braat as city treasurer, a decision that sparked anger among councillors who wanted a female to get the job.

A letter complaining about McAveety’s administration, supposedly written by a Labour councillor in the city, was also sent to party leader Kezia Dudgale.

The Sunday Herald can reveal that ill-feeling on the gender balance issue led to a session between female councillors, McAveety and others last week.

His critics believe the row plays into a wider fear of whether he is the correct person to lead Labour into the next local authority elections.

A senior Labour source said McAveety may face a challenge for the leadership if he fails to improve.

The opportunity for a coup would come at the Labour group’s next Annual General Meeting, but it is unclear when this meeting will take place.

The source said part of the McAveety’s problem is that he is running out of allies, but predicted he would be safe at the AGM.

A McAveety supporter said he had done more than his predecessors to promote women to key positions.

The ally added that, given the lack of women in the Labour group as a whole, achieving 50/50 in key positions was difficult.

SNP MSP John Mason said: “Labour have dominated Glasgow for so long – they believe it belongs to them. This row shows that Labour are seriously worried about the 2017 council election and that Frank McAveety is not handling the tensions well.”

The chair of the Labour group in Glasgow, Marie Garrity, attended the meeting and, on behalf of the leader, said: “I attended the meeting of the Labour women councillors with the leader, deputy leader and the chief whip last week which was called to discuss how to progress gender equality issues within the group. It was a very productive meeting. We have already achieved much in the promotion of women councillors to senior positions within the Labour group. However, we are all committed to getting more done in that regard in the near future.”