"GAGGED" Euro-MP Mike Hindley has criticised the Labour Party leadership over the decision to suspend him from the European Parliamentary Labour Party.

The Great Harwood-based MEP for Lancashire South is consulting a top barrister over the decision, which he said had left him "mystified".

Mr Hindley, along with three other Labour MEPs, was suspended from the EPLP for refusing to agree to a code of practice banning criticism of changes to the selection procedure of MEPs and the voting system for the next Euro-elections.

The party leadership wants to bring in a system of proportional representation for the elections.

Critics claim it will allow a list of 'Blairite' candidates to replace troublesome left-wingers.

"I now find myself in the most bizarre situation I have ever faced in my long career in the Labour Party," Mr Hindley said. "I have been suspended from the European Parliamentary Labour Party for defending the right of people to disagree with me.

"I actually support proportional representation but I spoke out and voted against the new code on the principled grounds that members should not be gagged from expressing contrary views. PR will be new to this country and MEPs like everyone else should have the right to air their views.

"I was then told that I must give an assurance to abide by the code by a deadline. I refused on the grounds of defending the right of myself and others to disagree with party policy.

"The ridiculous situation is that now everyone can have an opinion on PR. The only persons who cannot express a dissenting view are Labour MEPs."

Mr Hindley said he would continue his other Parliamentary activities, including being a front bench spokesman for the wider Socialist Group in Strasbourg.

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