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Ex-Downing Street chief Nick Timothy dumped by Meriden Tories Ex Downing Street chief Nick Timothy rejected as Meriden candidate
(about 8 hours later)
An ex-Downing Street chief who was an adviser to former Prime Minister Teresa May has failed in his bid to run as a Tory candidate in the general election. An ex Downing Street chief and adviser to former Prime Minister Theresa May has failed in his bid to run as a Tory candidate in the general election.
Nick Timothy was beaten by accountant Saqib Bhatti, who was selected to run for the Meriden seat in Solihull in the West Midlands.Nick Timothy was beaten by accountant Saqib Bhatti, who was selected to run for the Meriden seat in Solihull in the West Midlands.
Mr Timothy resigned as Mrs May's joint chief of staff after the Tory's failed to win a majority in the 2017 election. Mr Timothy resigned as Mrs May's joint chief of staff after the Tories lost their majority in the 2017 election.
Mr Bhatti will contest the seat to replace MP Dame Caroline Spelman. Mr Bhatti will contest the seat to replace Dame Caroline Spelman.
In September, Dame Caroline decided not to run in the election, citing the "intensity of abuse arising out of Brexit". In September, Conservative Dame Caroline decided not to run in the election, citing the "intensity of abuse arising out of Brexit".
Mr Bhatti, president of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, was picked my Tory members in a secret ballot on Tuesday evening. Mr Bhatti, president of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, was picked by Tory members in a secret ballot on Tuesday evening.
He was joint secretary general of Muslims for Britain during the EU referendum and is also a director of Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership.He was joint secretary general of Muslims for Britain during the EU referendum and is also a director of Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership.
Mr Timothy was a special adviser to Mrs May from 2010 to 2015 when she was Home Secretary. He later served as a joint chief of staff with Fiona Hill in Downing Street. Mr Timothy was a special adviser to Mrs May from 2010 to 2015, when she was home secretary. He later served as a joint chief of staff with Fiona Hill in Downing Street.
Ex-Sutton Coldfield mayor Charlotte Hodivala, who works as a sales manager in the pharmaceuticals sector, had also been shortlisted for the Meriden seat. Former Sutton Coldfield mayor Charlotte Hodivala, who works as a sales manager in the pharmaceuticals sector, had also been shortlisted for the Meriden seat.
Ms Hodivala is councillor for Birmingham City Council's Sutton Reddicap ward. She contested the Birmingham Perry Barr seat in the 2015 and 2017 general elections.Ms Hodivala is councillor for Birmingham City Council's Sutton Reddicap ward. She contested the Birmingham Perry Barr seat in the 2015 and 2017 general elections.
Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone.Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone.