Tory suspended over anti-gay comments will still stand for MP

By Rory Reynolds

A TORY candidate suspended by the party for a homophobic attack on gays will still appear to be standing for the party on ballot papers on May 6 – because it is too late to have his name removed.

Philip Lardner was axed by the party as their candidate for North Ayrshire and Arran yesterday after he had claimed “most” people agreed with his view that homosexuality is not “normal”.

But last night a spokeswoman for the Electoral Commission UK confirmed that it was too late to remove Lardner’s name from the ballot papers – and that the Conservative Party cannot now select another candidate.

She said: “Parties cannot remove a candidate from the ballot paper at this time, nor can they deselect a candidate.

“They also cannot remove their logo or emblem from next to the candidate’s name, and whoever was listed as the candidate when nominations closed last Tuesday will remain on the ballot papers.