A threat of civil war was hanging over the borough council's Labour group this week following the resignation of two high profile Borehamwood councillors.

Councillors Martin Heywood and Jean Heywood resigned from the Labour group last week and yesterday formed a new Independent Labour group.

The husband and wife, who both represent Cowley Hill ward, blamed political in-fighting and disagreements with the group's leader for their decision.

Group leader Frank Ward, who claims their resignations were unnecessary, has since urged them to stand down and seek re-election as independent candidates.

But Mr Heywood said: "We will not stand down we have worked very hard as councillors for Cowley Hill ward and we have not done anything wrong."

The couple claim that recent disputes within the Labour group, including issues concerning the leader, left them with no choice but to resign.

They had been particularly worried about a rumour that Mrs Heywood would be deselected as a candidate to contest her seat in next May's elections.

Mr Heywood, who is also the Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood, joined the borough council in 1995, and Mrs Heywood was elected a year later.

Although Mrs Heywood's seat on the borough council is due to be contested in May, her husband has been elected to retain his seat until 2004.

Mr Ward denied the Heywoods had been threatened with deselection, and said he had been prepared to investigate their concerns.

He said decisions to deselect could only be taken at regional level, and rejected claims that a replacement had already been found for Mrs Heywood.

But he added: "To continue as an independent councillor would perpetrate a blatant deception upon the electorate of Cowley Hill ward.

"The only challenge now confronting them is to let the people of Cowley Hill decide who they wish to represent them on Hertsmere Borough Council at the May elections in 2002."

The couple, who have both been members of The Labour Party for more than ten years, said their political beliefs would still remain the same.

Mrs Heywood said: "We look forward to being judged by residents on our work for the area and not on petty political squabbling or in-fighting."

Because the couple have formed a separate political group, council officers have to work out how they will be represented on council committees.

A council source suggested that the number of seats Labour has in the main committees, consisting of ten councillors, would fall from three to two.

Mr and Mrs Heywood said they hoped they would be able to continue representing Labour as councillors on Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council.

October 25, 2001 10:14

By MARK FOY