A COUNCIL'S former Labour leader has hinted he may go Independent after being cold-shouldered by party bosses

The Labour regional party has rejected Middlesbrough councillor Ken Walker's appeal against indefinite suspension from the borough council's Labour group.

The action was taken for repeatedly speaking out publicly against Middlesbrough Council plans to demolish 1,500 terrace houses in the town centre.

Coun Walker said: "For this to happen for doing the job you are elected to do, representing the people who elected you - what an indictment of local government in Britain in the 21st Century.

"Party politics have their place on matters like the budget, when everyone must come together, but not to be thrown out of the party for speaking up for residents who voted for you."

Indefinite suspension from Middlesbrough Labour Group effectively rules out Coun Walker from standing as a Labour candidate in the Gresham Ward he represents in the May 2007 local elections.

"I will not be gagged or silenced by Middlesbrough's Labour group kangaroo court," he vowed last night.

He said he will continue to represent residents to the best of his ability for the next 12 months, including supporting people refusing to move out of their homes to allow bulldozers to move in.

He said: "My sole crime seems to be that I would not accept the Middlesbrough Labour Group's leadership demands that I stay silent and support the unnecessary destruction of a large and well-established multi-cultural community in my ward. If I were to do so, this would go against the majority of residents' wishes.

"This is indeed a very sad time in Middlesbrough for the local Labour Party democracy. I will be speaking with local residents about my current predicament and my future.

"This will help me decide after this year how best I can continue to represent and serve the good people of Gresham ward, if they want me to continue as one of their three councillors."

A spokesman for the regional Labour party said: "On becoming a councillor for the Labour party in Middlesbrough, Ken signed group rules governing agreed positions taken by the Labour group, taking into account all opinions across the group.

"These include being allowed to raise issues within the group and coming to a democratic and agreed position within that group. By agreeing to abide by these rules, Coun Walker has repeatedly disregarded the opinions and democratic decisions of the wider Labour group.

"After this hearing, adhering to all the proper procedure of the Labour Party, his appeal was rejected and his six months suspension from the Labour group was upheld."