A major exodus from Glasgow's ruling Labour administration is set to deepen rifts within the authority, with almost half the party's female councillors expected to announce their intention to quit politics.

It is understood that six female politicians, including Lord Provost Sadie Docherty, have signalled their intention not to seek re-election amid claims of a 'macho culture' within the council and disillusion they have not been better utilised.

Mrs Docherty is the only one of those standing down next year to have served more than one term of office, the others having only entered frontline politics in 2012.

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Several prominent sources within the administration have told The Herald there has been a long-term discontent at the lack of opportunities for female councillors amongst the most recent intake.

Another said: 'Some females complain of a macho culture, an unpleasant environment to work in. One has even described it as like entering a time warp to the 1970s.'

Much of the disaffection predates current leader Frank McAveety's time at the helm, with the number of female councillors on the decision-making executive committee rising from one to three during his 10 months in charge.

Females currently make up around a third of the council's Labour group.

But in recent months there have been reports of splits in the administration over the leadership's commitment to gender balance, with the Lord Provost publicly expressing her "disappointment" at both Mr McAveety and deputy leader Archie Graham over the handling of the issue.

One of those who has decided to quit, Judith Fisher, is understood to have told her local Labour branch she could not continue as a councillor with "in good conscience" as she did not believe "the current leadership is operating in the best interests of the people of Glasgow".

One senior councillor said: "It's like a mirror of the Blair's Babes thing from 1997. We'd a rush of keen and committed women who came through the door in 2012 replacing mainly old guys. But after one term, like Blair's first, the numbers plummet."

Another said: "The reasons for leaving are varied but I do think some of the 2012 intake were led to believe that things would be easier than they are. Some expected to walk straight into jobs on the executive, which, if you're told you're the 'A' team, may be understandable.

"The gender balance argument is certainly there."

Sitting councillors are expected to signal by Friday whether they intend to stand again as the first part of the process in selecting candidates for 2017. Some are expected to potentially drop out or face de-selection at the interview stage.

Several of Labour's old guard are also understood to decided to stand down, along with a number of younger councillors who have held very senior positions in recent years, including Jonathan Findlay, the former head of transport quango SPT, and ex-Police Authority chair and City Treasurer Paul Rooney.

Female councillors predicted to leave include Pauline McKeever, a successful businesswoman who represents Hillhead in the west end, and Helen Stephen, who has told friends she wants to return to England.

East end councillor Yvonne Kucuk is currently suspended by Labour pending a police investigation into embezzlement claims at the community centre she runs. That is unlikely to be completed in time for her to be considered for re-election.

Cllr Maureen Burke, who has been employed at Ms Kucuk's Dalmarnock Hub and inherited a major crisis at the council's jobs' quango, is also understood to be giving serious consideration to standing down.