LABOUR bosses in Bolton West constituency have been given the go-ahead to select a candidate to fight Tom Sackville at the next election from a mixed sex shortlist. The seat had originally been earmarked for an all-women shortlist as part of a bid by the party high command to get more female MPs. But earlier this year an industrial tribunal ruled that such single sex shortlists broke the Sex Discrimination Act.

Labour's ruling National Executive Committee have now decided not to appeal against the decision. An official statement decided that although the party was "disappointed" by the judgement, with a general election possible at any time, the delay caused by an appeal could damage attempts to kick out the Tories. They said:" The decision means that the selections in the marginal seats without any NEC-endorsed candidates will now be re-run with open shortlists."

This means Bolton west party bosses can now include all potential candidates - male or female - in the shortlist of people who might take on junior home office minister Tom Sackville in an election. Mr Sackville's majority is just 1,079 .

The decision opens the way for the candidate at the last election, Cllr Cliff Morris, to put himself forward for selection as Labour's candidate.

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