Convicted ex-MP re-selected by Tories for by-poll

TALGARTH: Former MP Chris Davies has been selected by the Conservative Party to fight for the parliamentary seat he lost after more than 10,000 constituents signed a petition to remove him.

The 51-year-old was sacked as MP for Brecon and Radnorshire on Friday following a recall petition triggered by his conviction for faking expenses claims. Local party members confirmed Davies would stand as the Tory candidate for the forthcoming by-election in a vote held in Talgarth, Mid Wales, on Sunday evening.

Following the vote Davies, who held the seat since 2015, said he was “the right person” for the contest. “I would like to thank members of my local association for supporting me, and putting their faith in me once again”, he said. “I look forward to campaigning over the next few weeks and winning back this seat, so that I can continue to work hard for the people of Brecon and Radnorshire.”

He added: “A lot has been achieved over the past four years, but there is so much more to do, and I am the right person to do it.”

Chairman of Brecon and Radnorshire Conservatives, Peter Weavers, said: “Chris is local, he knows the area, he knows the constituents, knows the issues and problems we face, and that matters. Chris is not simply a one-issue wannabe politician, as his record shows. He has our full backing.”

Labour Party chairman Ian Lavery said: “Selecting the same man who voters sacked because he was convicted for fiddling his expenses shows the Tories’ contempt for the people of our country.

“The two candidates vying to be the next prime minister have failed this early test of leadership, and proved again that the Conservative Party is in chaos.”

The Liberal Democrats, the Brexit Party, and Labour have announced they will contest the seat. The Tory Party must call a by-election after 19 per cent of constituents - well above the 10 per cent threshold needed for a recall - ousted Davies from his job, though a date has yet to be fixed.

But it could be the first electoral test for the new prime minister, as the contest for Conservative Party leader is likely to have finished before it is held. Davies was convicted in March after he admitted submitting two false expenses invoices for nine photographs costing £700 to decorate his new office.

He was fined £1,500, ordered to pay £2,500 towards legal costs and told to carry out 50 hours of community service.