Tory candidates proposed to replace disgraced MPS

THE Conservative Party has selected its candidates for two forthcoming byelections to replace MPS who resigned in disgrace.

The vacant seat in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, will be contested by Nadeem Ahmed, who has served as a councillor in the area since 2006, while former head teacher Helen Hurford will stand in Tiverton and Honiton, Devon.

Ms Hurford is currently deputy mayor on Honiton’s town council.

The Wakefield election follows the resignation of Imran Ahmad Khan after his conviction for sexually assaulting a boy.

Neil Parish quit his Tiverton and Honiton seat after he admitted watching pornography in Parliament.

The Conservative Party officially triggered the contests on Tuesday.

The by-elections have to take place between 21 and 27 working days from the issuing of the writ, suggesting June 23 is the likely date – exactly six years after the Brexit referendum.

On Friday, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said there were “no pacts” with Labour to defeat the Tories in either of the contests.