Bernie Grant's foe faces deselection

The prospective Conservative candidate standing against Bernie Grant is about to be deselected. Derek Laud, 33, is accused by the party at his constituency of Tottenham, north London, of almost total failure to meet voters. He refused to meet the press for a photo-call and sent a picture of himself with John Major instead.

He also told the local party he would be out of the country on 31 March, the date chosen by his constituency for the adoption meeting. Now four of his 10 legally required nominees are thinking of standing down; the party is expected to reopen the candidates' list.