YORK Labour Party has announced its opposition to using Fylingdales for the controversial "Son of Star Wars" scheme - only days after city MP Hugh Bayley backed the scheme.

Mr Bayley said earlier this month that he supported the upgrading of Fylingdales for the American National Missile Defence (NMD) system, provided Britain was protected by it.

But at their monthly meeting, members of York Labour Party opposed the plans.

Both the party and Mr Bayley today denied their positions put them at odds. York party chairman Dave Ellis said the wording of the resolution, which refers to "domestic missile defence", could be interpreted in a number of ways.

"Quite clearly there are members of the Labour Party in York who are opposed to Fylingdales full stop. Some are opposed to any upgrade of it, others support Hugh's position.

"All three positions expressed at our monthly meeting could have supported the resolution. I do not think the resolution means the Labour Party in York en bloc is opposed to the views of its elected member."

The full wording of the resolution is: "This constituency opposes the UK Government's decision in response to U.S. requests, to proceed with the upgrade of the Fylingdales early warning system as part of that country's domestic missile defence programme."

Mr Bayley claimed it fitted with his view on the upgrade.

He said he agreed with local members that the system should be opposed unless it is extended to protect Britain as well as America.

"That is the key question I want our Government to answer," Mr Bayley said.

Meanwhile, members of the North Yorkshire National Park Authority were meeting in Helmsley today to discuss their view on the possible Fylingdales upgrade.

The NPA is the park's planning authority, with its chief executive reported to have said any upgrade would need planning consent.

lYork Against the War protesters were due to rally in York tonight at a key meeting before the February 15 national anti-war demonstrations.

Veteran anti-war MP George Galloway was among the speakers listed for the meeting, at Le Meridien Hotel, in Station Road. The meeting was expected to see York's biggest ever turn-out for an anti-war event.

Updated: 12:24 Monday, January 20, 2003