Deselected ‘maverick’ may stand as an independent

Deselected Labour MP Ian Gibson could win support to stand as an independent, his local party chairman said today.

Martin Booth stressed there was fury in Mr Gibson's Norwich North constituency over the decision by party chiefs to ban him from standing at the next general election.

His candidacy was rescinded following revelations that he claimed almost £80,000 in second home expenses on a London flat which he later sold at a knock-down price to his daughter.

Mr Gibson has insisted the claims were legitimate, as he was staying at the address three nights a week.

Mr Booth condemned Labour's "star chamber", which is hearing cases of MPs judged to have questionable expenses, as a "kangaroo court".

He had suggested that Mr Gibson had been singled out because he was a "maverick" who had voted against the Government on several occasions.

He also implied Mr Gibson may win support to stand as an independent Labour MP at the election expected next May.

"We certainly feel strongly enough that he might well get a lot of support from members," he said.