Birmingham MP Richard Burden led a rebellion against controversial new Labour Party rules giving the party leadership the power to suspend rebels.

But the MP failed to block proposals giving the Chief Whip, Redditch MP Jacqui Smith, draconian powers to discipline troublesome backbenchers.

The measures were approved at a stormy meeting of Labour backbenchers in a Commons committee room last night.

They are designed to restore unity and discipline to Labour as it grows increasingly mutinous.

Ms Smith, who has the job of ensuring backbenchers toe the line, will have the power to suspend those who say the wrong things.

The party leadership hoped the measures would be approved by acclaim - without a vote. But in the event, they were forced to ballot MPs after Mr Burden (Lab Northfield) unsuccessfully tried to introduce two amendments.

The first would have delayed introducing the new powers, and instead referred the matter to a Labour Party committee. The second would have prevented Ms Smith suspending MPs. However, they were both easily defeated.