THE man in charge of finding a replacement for Durham North MP Giles Radice has been replaced by Labour Party bosses.
Following claims that he is biased against candidates from outside the North-East constituency, Tom Conery was removed as chairman of the selection panel which will choose the MP's successor.
He will be replaced by his deputy chairman Derwentside District Councillor Janice Docherty for the crucial constituency meeting, on March 10.
A Labour North spokesman said: "The regional party decided after talking to the Durham North constituency that the chairmanship of the selection process should be seen to be clearly impartial.
"Therefore, Tom Conery will not be handling the selection process and the constituency has nominated the vice-chairman to take over.
"He has publicly expressed opinions that could leave candidates with the impression that the party had a view on what kind of candidate they wanted before the selection process began."
The NEC will draw up from the long list of candidates a short-list of about six. The final selection will be made by Durham North CLP at the March 10 meeting.
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