Blair ally fights suspension

County councillors appointed an independent expenses review

A Durham county councillor who is one of Tony Blair's closest allies, is due to launch an appeal against his suspension from the council's Labour group on Monday.

Durham county councillor Paul Trippett, who works at Trimdon Labour Club, helped organise the Prime Minister's party in June to mark two decades of representing the Sedgefield constituency in Parliament.

But Mr Trippett was suspended by the ruling Labour group on the county council, for saying an increase in members' allowances was "immoral".

Councillor Trippett, who represents Trimdon, said he did not understand why he had been suspended.

Earlier this year he said members should not have voted themselves a 13% pay rise.

The increased payment was part of a package recommended by a pay body chaired by Sir Kenneth Calman, the vice-chancellor of Durham University.

Ken Manton, leader of the ruling Labour group on the council, said the recommendations were fair and were supported by his party.

On Monday Mr Trippett will appeal to the regional Labour Party, who have the power to re-instate him.