Tim Yeo

Since there has been some mis-reporting in the press on this matter, I think it might be helpful if, as someone who was present at the meeting of the Executive Committee of South Suffolk Conservative Association yesterday evening,  I clarify the current situation with regard to Mr Yeo.

Tim Yeo has, as is normal for an MP at this stage of the Parliamentary Cycle, sought automatic re-adoption by the Association.   The process was somewhat delayed by the fact that it was agreed to wait for the outcome of the report from the Standards Committee to which he had referred himself.  The Committee rejected Mr Yeo's application.  This being the case Mr Yeo has three options.

1. He can appeal against the decision of the Executive by demanding a ballot of the entire Party membership of South Suffolk in the hope that they are more sympathetic to his cause.

2.  He can exercise his right to be automatically included in the short list that arises from any selection process.

Under the rules he can only exercise one of the two options above, or of course

3.  He can retire.