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Chris Davis selected to run for seat his constituents just booted him from

Labour chairman Ian Lavery said the move shows the Tories' contempt for the people of our country

THE Tory Party was accused of treating the public with contempt today after selecting former MP Chris Davies to fight for the seat his constituents just booted him out of.

Mr Davies was removed as the MP for Brecon and Radnorshire on Friday following a recall petition that was triggered after he was convicted for faking expenses claims.

Over 10,000 constituents — 19 per cent — signed the petition to remove him. The total is almost double the 10 per cent threshold needed for a recall.

But local Tory members confirmed Mr Davies as the Tory candidate for the by-election through a vote in Talgarth on Sunday evening.

Following the vote Mr 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.”

The Liberal Democrats, the Brexit Party and the Labour Party have announced that they will contest the seat.

Labour 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.
 
“We don’t just need a by-election in Brecon and Radnorshire, we need a general election and a Labour government.”

Mr Davies was convicted in March after he pleaded guilty to 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.

Brecon and Radnorshire Conservatives chairman 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.”

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