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'I've been kicked in the teeth by Labour'
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| SUSPENDED: Albert Nugent |
Bitter row rages as Durham County Council
leader suspended on eve of crucial election
THE leader of the North-East's
biggest local authority was suspended
last night on the eve of a
crucial leadership contest.
In a blow to Albert Nugent's efforts
to continue as leader of
Durham County Council, the former
miner was one of five councillors
suspended indefinitely by
the national Labour Party in a
row over women candidates.
The decision prevents Coun
Nugent from standing and paves
the way for rival Simon Henig to
assume the job, barring a lastminute
contender emerging at a
party summit at County Hall,
Durham, today.
Coun Henig, a Sunderland University
lecturer and former agent
to North Durham MP Kevan
Jones, declined to comment on
his rival's suspension last night,
saying only: "Clearly, I wasn't involved
at all in that inquiry."
But Coun Nugent criticised
party bosses, saying he had been
"kicked in the teeth".
Labour's National Executive
Committee (NEC) yesterday suspended
Coun Nugent, former
leadership front-runner Alan
Napier and three other councillors
over allegations they went
back on a deal aimed at bringing
more women into politics.
Before the Durham County
Council elections on May 1, the
NEC issued a directive saying
there had to be a 50-50 split of
male and female candidates.
It later accepted the Easington
party could field seven female
candidates - four short of the
original figure required. But only
four women were put up, prompting
the suspension of the entire
Easington constituency party.
A two-day preliminary investigation
into the affair was completed
in Sunderland yesterday.
Afterwards, a Labour spokesman
said: "Following an initial
investigation, the NEC has suspended
Robert Crute, Audrey
Laing, Alan Napier, Alice Naylor
and Albert Nugent from holding
office or representing Labour.
"The Easington Constituency
Labour Party has also been advised
that its suspension will be
lifted as soon as the constituency
party AGM can be arranged.
"It's important that these allegations
are further investigated
and the NEC investigation team
will be continuing.
"At the conclusion of this, the
NEC will be asked to authorise a
full report to be drawn up with recommendations for disciplinary
action if appropriate."
A Labour source said having
reached a deal with the NEC on
the number of women candidates,
the five suspended councillors
neither spoke in favour of,
or voted for the deal at constituency
executive or committee
meetings, leading to the
agreement being rejected.
The source also insisted there
was nothing sinister in the timing
of the suspension that ruled
Coun Nugent out of the leadership
contest, saying the investigation
date was agreed before
the election.
But Coun Nugent, leader of
Durham County Council since
2006, said: "We're standing up for
women's rights.
"The women did not want to be
selected because they were
women - they wanted to be selected
because of their commitment
and on merit.
"I don't think the people of
Seaham will be very happy.
"They elected me to go to
County Hall to do a job. They
have taken away not only my
rights, but the rights of the electors.
We're in enough bother as it
is without creating our own.
"I supported Nelson Mandela
did all the right things and
then they come along and kick
me in the teeth."
Coun Napier, the leader of Easington
District Council, was widely
thought to be heir apparent as
Durham County Council leader.
On Friday last week, sources
close to Coun Napier said he
would announce his candidacy
on Tuesday.
But following intense behindthe-
scenes activity over the
weekend, Labour members in
west Durham are understood to
have united behind Coun Henig,
and as the nominations deadline
passed on Tuesday night, only
Coun Nugent, Coun Henig, the
deputy leader of Chester-le-
Street district council, and Coun
Brookes, a newly elected councillor
for Trimdon and close ally
of Tony Blair, had declared.
Last night, Coun Napier declined
to comment on his suspension,
saying only: "This has
been dealt with within the NEC
investigation team and it will be
dealt with internally."
Labour maintained control of
Durham County Council in last
week's elections, but with a reduced
majority of only eight.
The 67-strong Labour group
will choose its leader following
hustings this morning.
The successful candidate will
become leader of the county
council and assume control of
the unitary authority, which will
replace the county council and
Durham's seven district councils
next April. The new council will
spend more than £1bn a year and
employ 22,000 people.
7:59am Saturday 10th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: see, durham on 9:15am Sat 10 May 08
once again let down by the labor party, if you can not move a mountain, blow it up and destroy it, are the nec mad do they not realise that the people of durham are not stupid, had this happened a day before the election the labor party would not have the majority rule in county durham , but albert nugent and the rest would still be councillors, under what ever badge, they are the peoples choice, and will remain so, give enough rope and they will hang themselves, looks like a tory goverment in power next time'god help us' but they can blame no one but them selves. it must be great for those now at county hall to have a yes men now at the helm, are our old peoples homes now safe, i think not.coun heing i hope you nod your head for the right people or you are in trouble
once again let down by the labor party, if you can not move a mountain, blow it up and destroy it, are the nec mad do they not realise that the people of durham are not stupid, had this happened a day before the election the labor party would not have the majority rule in county durham , but albert nugent and the rest would still be councillors, under what ever badge, they are the peoples choice, and will remain so, give enough rope and they will hang themselves, looks like a tory goverment in power next time'god help us' but they can blame no one but them selves. it must be great for those now at county hall to have a yes men now at the helm, are our old peoples homes now safe, i think not.coun heing i hope you nod your head for the right people or you are in trouble
Posted by: Peter Dolan, Newton Aycliffe on 10:12am Sat 10 May 08
Even before the Unitary Authority is set up we have party politics rearing it's ugly head. This is the reason why people shouldn't vote for party servants when it comes to local politics, all we are going to get now is dictates from New Labour on how they want the new Unitary Authority run and all the Party faithful will fall over themselves to carry them out those commands and at the end of the day all the electorate will get out of it will be the honour of paying for it all.
Even before the Unitary Authority is set up we have party politics rearing it's ugly head. This is the reason why people shouldn't vote for party servants when it comes to local politics, all we are going to get now is dictates from New Labour on how they want the new Unitary Authority run and all the Party faithful will fall over themselves to carry them out those commands and at the end of the day all the electorate will get out of it will be the honour of paying for it all.
Posted by: A.J.H., South East Durham on 10:21am Sat 10 May 08
The meaning of Democracy has now been channged to read.
Government of the People for the People by the People but only in a manner as decided by the NEC of the Labour Party.
A very sad day indeed.
The meaning of Democracy has now been channged to read.
Government of the People for the People by the People but only in a manner as decided by the NEC of the Labour Party.
A very sad day indeed.
Posted by: david, newton aycliffe on 1:48pm Sat 10 May 08
Looks like the Trimdon Labour Mafia may have had a hand in this. Very sad day for Local politics, Labour is definately on the way out in Co Durham.
Looks like the Trimdon Labour Mafia may have had a hand in this. Very sad day for Local politics, Labour is definately on the way out in Co Durham.
Posted by: John, Crook on 3:10pm Sat 10 May 08
Indded a sad day for Labour, but more so for the people of Durham looks like the New Labour machine marches on and sod the poor people, as long as the 'right' man gets the job.
Voters are not destroying Labour, it is Labour destroying Labour, I am ashamed to say I am a member, but for much longer.
Indded a sad day for Labour, but more so for the people of Durham looks like the New Labour machine marches on and sod the poor people, as long as the 'right' man gets the job.
Voters are not destroying Labour, it is Labour destroying Labour, I am ashamed to say I am a member, but for much longer.
Posted by: TM, Durham on 5:20pm Sat 10 May 08
Well if I were Albert and the others i would detatch themselves from the party and form something themselves that reduces the labour majority from 8 to 3 . That means half the labour cronies (who very rarely attend meetings and were re-elected will have to work for their money and get their backsides to all meetings to represent the people they serve instead of sitting on their backsides doing sweet f all
Well if I were Albert and the others i would detatch themselves from the party and form something themselves that reduces the labour majority from 8 to 3 . That means half the labour cronies (who very rarely attend meetings and were re-elected will have to work for their money and get their backsides to all meetings to represent the people they serve instead of sitting on their backsides doing sweet f all
Posted by: Steve Day, Co durham on 7:22pm Sat 10 May 08
Nice to see the true nature of the Labour party coming out, Ballot rigging, election fraud, ingnoring democracy, betraying their own electorate AND their own members, record numbers of labour councillors getting convictions. As as someone else neatly put it locally the Trimdom labour mafia at work as well. L:abour may be many things but in the last 30 years its never been the party of the working man.
Nice to see the true nature of the Labour party coming out, Ballot rigging, election fraud, ingnoring democracy, betraying their own electorate AND their own members, record numbers of labour councillors getting convictions. As as someone else neatly put it locally the Trimdom labour mafia at work as well. L:abour may be many things but in the last 30 years its never been the party of the working man.
Posted by: George Reilly, Easington on 11:14am Sun 11 May 08
So easington labour mafia get a dose of their own medicine and it tastes bitter? hahahaha. Chickens coming home to roost if you ask me. So Henig is in at leader and we may have someone who has vision. Now, we need to see if he has the strength to overcome the dinosaurs. The sad part is that Napier and Nugent will probably work to undermine his vision and keep Durham hostage to the past. The time is now for the new unitary to show that County Durham can develop a future as proud as its past! If something is not done soon, we will be a bedroom community to Newcastle or a retirement community for the South.
There is now hope with Henig!!
So easington labour mafia get a dose of their own medicine and it tastes bitter? hahahaha. Chickens coming home to roost if you ask me. So Henig is in at leader and we may have someone who has vision. Now, we need to see if he has the strength to overcome the dinosaurs. The sad part is that Napier and Nugent will probably work to undermine his vision and keep Durham hostage to the past. The time is now for the new unitary to show that County Durham can develop a future as proud as its past! If something is not done soon, we will be a bedroom community to Newcastle or a retirement community for the South.
There is now hope with Henig!!
Posted by: mick dorset on 6:09pm Sun 11 May 08
women only shortlists? isnt that positive discrimination which is illegal ?, why can't they choose the best person for the job?
women only shortlists? isnt that positive discrimination which is illegal ?, why can't they choose the best person for the job?
Posted by: alby jnr, horden on 5:01pm Mon 12 May 08
well who will look after our old people now in durham ? and to george reilly you are silly to beleave that new leader henig is the right man he will nod his head to the man who put him there jones. ALBERT NUGENT WAS THE RIGHT MAN HE WOULD HAVE WALKED THE VOTE TO BE LEADER .
well who will look after our old people now in durham ? and to george reilly you are silly to beleave that new leader henig is the right man he will nod his head to the man who put him there jones. ALBERT NUGENT WAS THE RIGHT MAN HE WOULD HAVE WALKED THE VOTE TO BE LEADER .
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