A LABOUR party stalwart says she was banned from attending Tony Blair's anniversary party for speaking out against the war in Iraq.

Joan Smith, 80, says she was deeply wounded by the decision not to allow her to attend Saturday night's bash to mark the Prime Minister's 20 years as MP for Sedgefield.

Mrs Smith, who lives in Sedgefield, has been a party member for more than 65 years.

She says she has campaigned for the party over many years, including canvassing and delivering leaflets, and has met Mr Blair on several occasions.

A former Labour party councillor in Essex in her younger years, Mrs Smith took a stand against the conflict in Iraq.

She took part in anti-war demonstrations in the village and spoke out against the conflict on national television, although she denies saying anything against Mr Blair.

However, the Prime Minister's agent John Burton said her stance had cost her a place at the anniversary party in Trimdon Labour Club.

A tearful Mrs Smith said: "I was told by Lily Burton that on the personal word of her husband I was not allowed to go because I demonstrated against the war. I feel like I've been treated like a little girl who's had a slap on the hand by the teacher.

"I'm hurt so deeply by this, it's such a slap in the face.

"We live in a democracy, not a dictatorship, and I would still demonstrate because I still don't believe the war was necessary. I reserve the right to free speech."

Mr Burton, Mr Blair's agent since he was first elected in 1983, said: "We had a number of tickets for people who have worked hard for the Labour party and who are friends of Tony. There was bound to be some people who missed out and Joan was one of them.

"She can't rubbish the Prime Minister on television and then expect to come to his party. She should have gone straight to him and talked to him about it."