THE Downing Street aide who quit over emails discussing a possible smear campaign against leading Conservatives is facing moves to expel him from the Labour Party, it was revealed last night.

The issue of Damian McBride’s membership is expected to be raised at Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) next month, while his local constituency party has indicated it may ask for him to be kicked out.

Continuing rows over the position of Gordon Brown’s former special adviser threaten to thwart ministers’ efforts to draw a line under the so-called “smeargate” scandal.

Gordon Brown yesterday insisted he would not be deflected by political “diversions”, while Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said voters did not want the Government to be “distracted by every media squall that is sent our way”.

But there were renewed calls for Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O’Donnell to conduct a full inquiry into the affair.

Conservative leader David Cameron said it was “not good enough” for Mr Brown simply to say he had been assured that Mr McBride was acting alone. It was “staggering” that the emails were sent by someone handpicked by the Prime Minister.