THE agent of the Wycombe Conservative party this morning declined to elaborate on why the hunt for next Tory MP candidate had been suspended – as a report suggests some candidates had been snubbed at a social event.

Sue Hynard said she presently had “no authority” to speak beyond a statement given yesterday by Conservative central office over the search for a candidate to replace Paul Goodman MP, who will not contest the next election.

Conservative Party spokesman Giles Kenningham said yesterday: “The correct procedures weren’t followed.

“Subsequently the election has been suspended and will be re-run in October.

“Anyone who has applied need not re-apply.”

Yet The Daily Telegraph chief political commentator Benedict Brogan yesterday suggested the reasons for the suspension in a blog.

He wrote: “It is not being submitted to an open primary, which itself had people speculating about CCHQ’s commitment to democracy in a seat with a significant Muslim population.

“I’m told tonight that the incident that prompted [national party chairman] Eric Pickles to intervene was a meet-the-candidates reception at the house of a local grandee to which only two of the six people on the shortlist were invited.

“I’ve been given the names but haven’t got confirmation yet.

“It’s a local difficulty, but as every Tory knows, we are well into that period where the centre starts imposing candidates, citing an imminent election. With so many attractive seats about to become available, this is being watched closely,”

Wycombe is considered by political observers to be a safe Tory seat.