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In a statement issued last week Miranda said, "This morning I resigned from both the Labour Party and my job working for the Deputy Mayor of London [Nicky Gavron], at the Greater London Authority." Adding, "I cannot expect either of these organisations to continue to formally support me in these circumstances."

The case which was heard in court in 2006 and involved allegations of Grell slurring gay Lib Dem Candidate Barry Smith has been followed closely by the the Labour Campaign for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights (LGBT) who themselves issued this statement: "We are furious that the Labour candidate, Miranda Grell, was willing to use homophobia to get elected.

While LGBT Labour has not commented during the trial and appeal, we have been in private contact with senior officers of the Labour Party to express our anger at her behaviour and demand that the Party treat these allegations seriously."

Co-chair of LGBT Labour said, "She [Miranda] has had her chance to defend herself and has been found guilty.. Equality is not optional for Labour Party members or representatives and all forms of homophobia are unacceptable in our Party."

Miranda still hopes to follow up her failed appeal saying: "Although I know I am innocent and intend to pursue further legal appeal, what I have been convicted of amounts to bringing the Labour Party into disrepute and gross misconduct of the GLA constitution."

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