Hastilow decision goes national

The final decision on whether Conservative hopeful Nigel Hastilow should resign because of his views on Enoch Powell's "River of Blood" speech will be made by the party's national board.

Mr Hastilow formally stepped down as prospective parliamentary candidate for the Halesowen and Rowley Regis constituency in a row over comments he made in the Express & Star.

However, the Halesowen and Rowley Regis Conservative Association called a meeting last night to see if his resignation should be accepted. At the meeting it was decided the decision should be referred to the national party board.

Mr Hastilow said today he had been spurred on by hundreds if not thousands of messages he had received from members of the public but he would wait and see what the party chose to do.

He added: "I have had hundreds if not thousands of messages of support which makes me feel that I should continue. But I'm not going to put myself in opposition to the Conservative Party."

After a meeting with national party chairman Caroline Spelman, Mr Hastilow chose to resign as a candidate rather than apologise and be bound by a ruling that future articles be vetted by Tory Central Office.

Councillor Mary Docker, chairman of Halesowen and Rowley Regis Conservative Association, issued the following statement after last night's meeting:

"A meeting of the Halesowen and Rowley Regis Conservative Association Executive was held on Monday evening and resolved to request advice from the Party Board."