Flight's public apology is rejected by Howard

Michael Howard has rejected a last-ditch appeal from Howard Flight, who was kicked out of the party for his comments on spending policy, to allow him to stand for the Tories at the election.

Michael Howard has rejected a last-ditch appeal from Howard Flight, who was kicked out of the party for his comments on spending policy, to allow him to stand for the Tories at the election.

In a letter to the Tory leader, the MP apologised for remarks suggesting the party had secret plans to slash spending if it won the election. He urged Mr Howard to "respect the wishes" of activists in Arundel and South Downs and rescind his decision to bar his candidacy.

He won the backing of a former minister, Ann Widdecombe, who said: "I beg Michael Howard, in the interests of the party, to give the fullest consideration to this olive branch so that we can all go forward and fight the election rather than each other."

But a Tory spokesman said last night: "The position of Michael Howard and the party remains unchanged."

Officials in the West Sussex constituency are to meet on Monday to draw up a shortlist of candidates to replace Mr Flight. The final selection will be made at a meeting of the full association on Wednesday.

Moves by Mr Flight's supporters to force an extraordinary general meeting of the association to hear his appeal have been rejected as they do not comply with party rules.

He resigned as deputy party chairman last week after his comments to a meeting of the Conservative Way Forward Group emerged. Mr Howard decided he could not stand again as a Conservative candidate.

Mr Flight said in his letter: "I am sure you respect that Arundel and South Downs has been an extremely strong and loyal association, and I hope you will feel their wishes can be respected. I apologise, publicly, to you in the hope it may be possible to rescind your decision."