Tory candidate quits election race before it begins
Barrister Michael Ellis has quit the General Election race, months before a vote has even been called.
The Weston Favell resident was chosen by the Conservatives to fight against Labour's Sally Keeble in the Northampton North constituency on the next Westminster polling day.
His selection, in December 2006, followed a Pop Idol style contest dubbed "Tory Idol", which saw members of the public given the chance to vote for their favourite candidates.
But following a week of speculation about Mr Ellis's position, the Northampton North Conservative Association has announced he intends to stand down from the race.
A brief statement issued by the organisation said: "Michael Ellis has decided to stand down as Conservative parliamentary candidate for Northampton North.
"In a letter to association chairman David Mackintosh, Michael Ellis said that due to pressure of work and more need to travel, he was concerned that he would not be able to continue to give the time he believed was necessary to fight the seat at the next election."
It added: "Mr Ellis believes that the Conservatives need a candidate with the time available to fight relentlessly for Northampton North."
Mr Ellis added: "Owing to personal reasons I did offer my resignation to the party as the parliamentary candidate for Northampton North. The letter of resignation is currently under consideration by the party and at this stage I am unable to comment further."
The 40-year-old lawyer, who yesterday represented Boy George on charges of the false imprisonment and assault of a male escort during a case at London's Snaresbrook Crown Court, is a former member of Northamptonshire County Council.
More than 100 people took part in the Tory Idol contest to pick the Conservative candidate for the Northampton North seat.
It is not yet known who the party will choose to stand in the election, which is likely to be held in either 2009 or 2010.
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