THREE suspended councillors have been deselected after launching an attack on their local party hierarchy.

Stockton borough councillors Steve Walmsley, Eileen Craggs and Anthony Holban have been barred from standing for the Labour Party in next year's local elections.

The three say they have been hounded out of their positions by a Labour witch-hunt determined to flush out rebel councillors. The three, who all represent Thornaby wards, were among 11 who signed a letter branding Stockton's Labour leaders as unaccountable and arrogant.

After appearing before a panel of independent Labour party members, under the direction of the North-East Labour Party, the three yesterday received confirmation that they had not been approved for selection.

They have 14 days to lodge an appeal.

Councillor Craggs, who has been a party member for 40 years, represents Village Ward in Thornaby.

She said: "It was quite a blow. The Labour Party has been my life's work.

"I believe I have been a good councillor and my record speaks for itself. I still have the energy and determination to carry on, but I have to weigh up my options.

"I could appeal or maybe decide to stand as an independent. When you are critical and challenging they don't want to know. I thought that's what I'm here for."

Neither Steve Walmsley, who represents Mandale, or Anthony Hoban, who represents Victoria, would comment yesterday.

Councillors Hoban and Craggs had earlier been suspended from the Stockton Labour group for two months after appeal, while Councillor Walmsley, who held a cabinet position, was suspended for three months.

Labour councillor Bob Gibson, leader of the council, said yesterday: "I think the panel system is a very good and rigorous procedure. The days when people are councillors for life are over. One of the things the panel expects is that councillors behave properly."

The original letter, which stemmed from a meeting of party members in Thornaby's Griffin pub, also called for a directly-elected mayor for Stockton and threatened a breakaway authority could be set up if Thornaby was not given more power.