Chris Davies: Ex-Tory MP reselected for by-election

A former MP that lost his seat after 10,005 people signed a petition to trigger a by-election has been reselected by his local party.

On Sunday, local Conservative members met and decided Mr Davies should be the party's candidate in Brecon and Radnorshire.

The recall petition was held after he admitted two charges of making a false expenses claim.

The Lib Dems, Labour and the Brexit Party are expected to stand.

Mr Davies was convicted of a false expenses claim in March after trying to split the cost of £700 worth of pictures between two office budgets by creating fake invoices, when he could have claimed the amount by other means.

He was fined £1,500 and told to carry out 50 hours of community service.

Glyn Davies, the MP for neighbouring Montgomeryshire, gave Mr Davies his backing earlier on Sunday.

"He's made a mistake. He's apologised for the mistake," Glyn Davies told BBC Sunday Politics Wales.

"The issue is whether there should be a second chance. There is a process. There is a parliamentary process - we've gone through that process.

"Now there will be a by-election and the people of Brecon and Radnorshire will have to decide what the future should be."

The Liberal Democrats have announced Jane Dodds will be their candidate and Tom Davies will stand for Labour, while the Brexit Party also intends to contest the seat.

Friday's vote to hold a by-election accounted for 19% of the total electorate - almost double the 10% threshold required to trigger a by-election.

Recall petitions are launched when MPs receive a custodial or suspended sentence, are barred from the Commons for 10 sitting days or are convicted of providing false information about their expenses.