A Queensbury couple who were expelled from the Labour Party this week have written to Prime Minister Tony Blair asking him to rule the decision was invalid.

George and Dr Margaret Riseborough who were thrown out for conduct which was detrimental to the party said today they would not accept their expulsion unless they received a signed letter from Mr Blair saying they were excluded.

The expulsion followed five years of allegations by the couple - who are in their 50s -- against Queensbury Labour Councillor Jack Womersley. The couple who live in a luxury detached house in the village claimed there had been planning irregularities. Their allegations centred around 30 acres of Green Belt owned by their millionaire neighbour John Steele. Mr Steele has turned the area into a massive nature reserve.

Today, Mr Riseborough, a professional writer, described how he and his wife, a psychologist, were "ostracised and sent to Coventry" by some people over the allegations about Coun Womersley.

He said people were not allowed to sit next to them at Labour meetings. "We were called 'the enemy' at meetings, pubs and in the social context. It is the complete opposite of democracy. It has broken our hearts."

The couple, who talked for the first time on the issues in an exclusive interview at their home, said they had walked out in protest before the end of the meeting of Labour's National Constitution Committee at City Hall last week.

The committee, which is part of Labour's National Executive Council, decided the couple should be expelled and notified them by letter this week.

Coun Womersley announced two months ago that he would not stand for re-election in May because of the pressure of his council work. The high-profile councillor who has been involved in many major planning issues - including the controversial Unitary Development Plan - said the Riseboroughs' prolonged campaign had affected his health. He is now seeking legal advice and has asked the National Labour Party to support him.

Party officials stressed when they announced the Riseboroughs' expulsion that Coun Womersley had been completely exonerated of allegations.

A spokesman from the regional Labour Party said the expulsion had been totally within the party's constitution and was valid and he added it was unfortunate the local Labour Party had had to put up with their behaviour.

He added: "They are expelled and that is the end of it.''

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