Shaun Brady says he has felt under "house arrest"

Blairite General Secretary Shaun Brady won his job at Aslef last year by the largest majority in 10 years.

But he has now been told key decisions must be approved by the eight-strong executive, he says.

He says problems came to a head when the executive rejected a critical report on the union's finances.

And the executive voted to take control of day-to-day decision making.

Irregularities

It will remain in permanent session until an inquiry into the running of the organisation has been concluded.

There have been allegations of irregularities at Aslef spanning 10 years.

He could not even order an extra jar of coffee without a vote The BBC's Stephen Cape

The BBC's Labour Affairs Correspondent Stephen Cape said Shaun Brady described his time at the union as "like being under house arrest".

"He could not even order an extra jar of coffee without a vote.

"He had less power than the office cleaner and complained that he had been harassed and victimised, warning there could be a case for constructive dismissal."

The deputy leader is said to have been put in a similar position.

The row is likely to come to a head in June at the union's annual conference.

Branches are already demanding answers and there could be a showdown with the executive.