BURY'S Euro MP Michael Hindley has won his battle for free speech.

He is claiming victory after fellow MEPs voted overwhelmingly to lift threats of his suspension for speaking his mind.

Mr Hindley represents Lancashire South, which includes the Bury North constituency of Bury, Ramsbottom and Tottington.

He was one of four British Labour MEPs to be suspended by party bosses for refusing to sign a "gagging" code of conduct forbidding criticism of policies.

The row centred around the way candidates are to be elected in the 1999 Euro elections, in which voting will be by proportional representation (PR).

The four were suspended, then reinstated, then threatened with temporary suspensions.

But on Tuesday night the European Parliamentary Labour Party (EPLP) voted by 50 votes to two for a compromise package.

"This is a complete and unconditional vindication of my position," said a delighted Mr Hindley.

The EPLP has adopted a "memorandum of understanding" which states that no MEP should face disciplinary action for stating their views.

And on PR, the memo says MEPs are free to publicly discuss the merits of various voting systems.

"By standing up for our rights, we have actually got an improved agreement on MEPs' activities," said Mr Hindley.

"Common sense has broken out in the EPLP."

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