Yesterday I published the final six shortlist for Staffordshire South.
One of the six was NOT Nigel Hastilow.
Mr Hastilow - who has twice previously been forced to resign as a Conservative candidate - was one of the choices of the six South Staffs representatives who attended the obligatory shortlisting meeting at CCHQ. They eventually conceded that he would not appear on the shortlist after repeated objections from Eric Pickles.
Mr Hastilow has written at length about his treatment on his blog. He accuses Eric Pickles of dishonesty in blocking his candidacy and John Maples of being "particularly obnoxious". Hastilow alleges that Mr Maples told him that he'd be a fine candidate but did nothing to support him in the shortlisting meeting. Mrs Hastilow was Mr Maples' secretary until she resigned in protest at her husband's treatment.
Mr Hastilow has embarrassed the party in the past by praising Enoch Powell. That led to his resignation in 2007 as Tory candidate for Halesowen and Rowley Regis. Years earlier he had to resign as remained the party's Edgbaston candidate for despite using a website to make critical remarks of then Tory leader, William Hague.
I've had Mr Hastilow's account of the meeting at CCHQ independently verified. I 100% understand why CCHQ would not want a controversial character being readopted but they should have removed Mr Hastilow from the candidates list and not given him false hope. There is a dishonesty in keeping him on the candidates list, John Maples telling him that he'd be a good MP but then blocking his candidacy when a local Association nominates him.
CCHQ declined to comment this evening.
Tim Montgomerie