Albert Nugent, leader of Durham County Council, is one of five councillors suspended indefinitely by the national Labour Party following the row over women candidates on the local authority.

With a new leader due to be revealed today, the ban means Coun Nugent is now out of the running for re-election.

Before the Durham County Council elections on May 1, Labour's national executive committee said there had to be a 50/50 split of male and female candidates.

It was later agreed that the Easington party could put up seven female candidates, but only four were put up which led to the suspension of the entire constituency party.

An investigation revealed that Coun Nugent, Alan Napier, Robert Crute, Audrey Laing and Alice Naylor had been suspended. The ban is unlikely to be lifted until the constituency party AGM is set up.

Coun Nugent said: "The women did not want to be selected because they were women. They wanted to be be selected on merit. I have been kicked in the teeth."

Labour maintained control of Durham County Council in last week's elections, with a reduced majority of eight. The new Labour group leader will be chosen at County Hall, Durham, today.