A PLAN to save a homosexual election candidate from deselection was revealed by the Tory party yesterday.
The entire hierarchy of the Conservative Association in Falmouth and Camborne — Lord Coe’s former seat — was suspended last month for viewing videos promoted by the UK Independence Party. Conservative Central Office took action after being informed of this and other issues by the agent for Ashley Crossley, the candidate.
Mr Crossley, a barrister who lives in London, issued a statement saying that the eight members of the association “stand in the way of victory” for the Tories.
But those eight have put their names to a petition that gathered enough names to force a vote on Mr Crossley’s deselection.
Last night letters went out inviting all 650 members of the association in the constituency to attend the meeting on September 8 where they can vote on Mr Crossley’s future.
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However, Richard Stephens, appointed by Central Office as the interim manager of the association, said that they may put a second proposition to the vote. This would be to delay a decision on Mr Crossley’s future until the appeal that decides the fate of the eight suspended members is heard in London the following week.
Dorothy Smith, the suspended treasurer of the association, said she was shocked to hear that the vote may be delayed.
“This is the first I’ve heard about it, from a journalist, and I think that just about says it all,” said Mrs Smith, who has instigated libel action against a fellow Conservative association member.
“But it is not a gay issue,” she said. “It is the candidate’s ‘I know everything’ attitude that has made him a figure of fun in the constituency.”
Michael Howard has given Mr Crossley his full support.