A COUNCILLOR facing expulsion from the Labour Party over an alleged racist remark has announced her resignation.

Mildred Brown, former deputy leader of Durham City Council, says she will quit the party she has belonged to for more than 24 years.

But she intends to continue as a councillor - she has been serving despite being suspended by the party.

Following an inquiry, regional party officials are recommending that she be expelled over a remark she allegedly made to the council's former principal safety officer Mac Williams.

Coun Brown, who represents the Sherburn ward, said: "I am deeply disappointed that a lifetime's work that has helped bring about major changes to Durham district has come to an end.

"The last year has had a terrible effect on my family and myself and the strain is far too great to continue my work within the Labour Party any longer.

"As someone who has fought for equal opportunities all my life, it saddens me that my reputation has been so unfairly tarnished by those who have their own agenda to follow and who are not putting the good of the Labour Party or Durham district first."

The expulsion recommendation was due to be considered by the party at national level in the New Year.

A regional party spokesman said he was unaware of Coun Brown's resignation plans. He said the national hearing would probably not now take place.

He added that he believed that the disciplinary machinery would be reactivated if Coun Brown re-applied for party membership at a later date.

Mr Williams, now chairman of the city's magistrates, accepted a £6,500 out of court settlement from the council earlier this year after he lodged an industrial tribunal claim for racial discrimination over alleged racist remarks from fellow officers.

One of them, he alleged, was made by Coun Brown. The council offered the settlement but denied any liability