FIVE top local Tory officials personally asked St Albans MP Anne Main to step down more than two weeks ago, according to the party’s chairman, Seema Kennedy.

Yesterday, the Review reported St Albans Conservative Association has called a full meeting for August 13 in order to debate a motion proposing Mrs Main is de-selected as its parliamentary candidate in next year’s general election. The press and public are barred from attending.

Mrs Main told the Herts Advertiser the first she knew of the party's intention to hold a meeting to consider her de-selection was via a letter inviting her to attend.

But Mrs Kennedy told the Review she and four officials - Matthew Peck, Mary Zambra, Chris Baker and Pat Rosalki - had agreed to ask Mrs Main to stand down at a meeting on July 6, and that the MP had been notified two days later.

Mrs Kennedy told the Review today: "I had a meeting with Mrs Main on 8 July, at which Sir Graham Bright, Chairman of the Eastern Region Conservative Party was also present.

"At this meeting I stated that serious concerns had been raised about Mrs Main’s ability to hold the seat for the Conservatives at the next General Election.

"I invited Mrs Main to consider her position and stated clearly that the association would proceed to a formal deselection process if she did not resign.

"Since then I have had numerous email exchanges with Mrs Main to arrange a mutually convenient date for a meeting."

The Review has requested a response from Mrs Main.