THREE former Labour councillors who quit their group in a protest over the election of a new leader are said to be facing expulsion from the party.

Councillor Joan Bell left Stoke-on-Trent City Council's Labour group at the end of May. The Longton South ward member, who had been a Labour councillor for 17 years, quit just days after Councillor Mike Barnes won the ballot to become group leader.

Fellow Labour stalwart Councillor Dave Conway split from the group on June 3, followed a day later by former group leader Councillor Joy Garner.

All three said they were unhappy with the group's new leadership structure and direction. They switched their status to non-aligned, but said they would remain sympathetic to Labour Party ideals.

Mr Conway, who represents Burslem North, has since joined the City Independent Group, which is part of the ruling coalition.

However, the appointment of Mrs Garner as cabinet member for environment and regulatory services last month angered some Labour members who accused her of profiting from her actions.

Now the party's National Executive Committee is understood to be taking disciplinary action to force the trio to rejoin the group. Labour sources claim that, at a meeting last Tuesday, the NEC gave Mrs Garner 14 days to resign from the cabinet and rejoin the Labour group or face expulsion from the party. Mrs Bell must also rejoin the group or face the same fate.

Dave Conway has had his membership suspended and is also likely to face expulsion.

One Labour Party member, who did not wish to be named, said: "Joy Garner's actions have upset a lot of Labour Party members who feel very let down.

"She seems to want her cake and eat it, but you are either fully behind the local party or you are not – there's no room for any halfway house."

Mrs Bell said she was unaware of the NEC's decision, but would not be complying with the party's request.

She said: "I hadn't heard anything about this, but I won't be going back to the group as things stand because nothing has changed."

Mr Conway was unaware the NEC had suspended his party membership.

He said: "I have had no notification yet, but that is the correct procedure when someone joins another political group. I don't want to work for the benefit of a political party, no matter which one it is.

"I shall continue to serve the people that elected me and I want to be seen as a man of the people, working for the people."

Mrs Garner said: "I left on no other issue than the divisiveness of the current Labour group leader. I remain loyal to the local and national party."

Mr Barnes said: "This is obviously a private matter that has been decided by the national party and not the local party, and I would prefer not to get involved."