Story set to take seat

FORMER OLYMPIC rower Alex Story looks set to defy opponents in his own party and take the European Parliament seat left vacant by former Yorkshire MEP Lord Timothy Kirkhope.

It is understood Mr Story has been offered the vacant seat by the returning officer for the European elections in Yorkshire and intends to accept.

The decision by David Cameron to offer Lord Kirkhope a peerage has triggered an internal battle over who should replace him as one of the two Conservative MEPs for Yorkshire. European elections are fought on a regional list system where parties earn seats depending in their share if the vote.