SUPPORTERS of rebel MP Peter Law are warning that candidates may now be fielded against Labour at the Assembly and council elections following yesterday's ex-pulsions from the party.

Blaenau Gwent Assem-bly Member Peter Law defeated official Labour candidate Maggie Jones in a protest against the imposition of an all-women constituency shortlist at the general election.

At its first meeting since the election, Lab-our's National Exec-utive Committee was yesterday told that 20 members of the party who had nominated or otherwise supported independent Mr Law had been expelled.

But party chiefs have decided against expelling other members of the local party. Blaenau Gwent council leader John Hopkins says there are around 700 members, while Mr Law's supporters claim the number could be as low as 500.

A spokeswoman for the Welsh Labour Party said: "Some 20 members in Blae-nau Gwent appear to have acted in ways which automatically exclude them from membership of the Labour Party. This was reported to the NEC. We are not pursuing any other people.

"The twenty expelled themselves from membership of the Labour Party by the action they took.

"They will be written to and unless the member concerned disputes the facts (claiming for instance that they never agreed to appear on Peter Law's leaflet as a supporter) they will automatically be excluded from party membership."

The spokeswoman said that expulsion means former members will no longer be able to attend party meetings or vote - and cannot reapply for five years.

Then they will be asked to explain why they want to rejoin before being considered. Last night, Mr Law and his supporters reacted with anger. Former Blaenau Gwent MP Llew Smith, who stood down at the general election, said: "There is going to be a major campaign and there are rumblings that candidates are going to be put up against Labour ones in the next Assembly and local council elections.

"I have been involved with the politics of this constituency for the last 43 years and I'm saying there are serious problems here in Blaenau Gwent. The Labour party bosses seem determined to destroy the party in Blaenau Gwent."

Mr Law said: "This is a further subversion of democracy in the community by the Labour Party which is so riddled with spin and insincerity. "It is terrible to think what Labour has done to those wonderful people of Blaenau Gwent who have helped return Labour governments.

"The people of Blaenau Gwent will not forget this. They will feel this is disgraceful. I think there will be a major reaction against the Labour Party for this witch-hunt."

Rex Herbert, who was a member of the Labour Party for 56 years, is one of those being expelled. He signedMr Law's nomination papers. He is waiting for his letter.

"It is sad to be out of the party but I did it with my eyes open. I knew I would be thrown out but I did it for the sake of the Labour Party I joined," he said. Brynmawr town councillor Ian Morgan who, along with wife Megan, left the party to back Mr Law, said: "This is disgusting. The people of Blaenau Gwent are not going to forget or forgive the Labour Party for this."

Are you one of the 20 being expelled? Call the Argus on 01633 777219. Mr Law is undergoing radiotherapy following his brain surgery at Velindre Hospital in Cardiff. It follows surgery to remove a brain tumour in April. His election agent, Dai Davies said the treatment was routine.Each of the radiotherapy sessions lasted for five minutes.