A hustings planned for the forthcoming central Watford by-election has become embroiled in a political row.

Politicians in the town have accused the set-up of the debate, which is being organised by the Radlett Road Community Association, of being “politically compromised” and “unfair”.

The comments have been made after the Conservatives were allowed to send a former councillor to stand in for the party’s candidate, who cannot make the event.

The event is due to be held in the Centre Point Community Centre in Raphael Drive, at 7.30pm on Monday ahead of the Central by-election on Thursday.

The election will decide who will fill the seat on Watford Borough Council vacated by Liberal Democrat Chris Leslie, who resigned to take a job in the Midlands.

Three of the five parties running in the November 15 election – the Liberal Democrats, Greens and the UK Independence Party – have agreed to send their candidates to the event.

Labour has refused to take part in the event saying, that it was not involved in prior discussions for the hustings and other parties were.

Mike Jackson, chairman of Watford Labour Party, said: “We have replied to say we will not be attending as we feel the event has become politically compromised and its organisation has been very unsatisfactory.”

Mr Jackson said the Labour Party had not been contacted to discuss the event beforehand and two Liberal Democrat councillors were in on the discussions. He also said it was unfair that the Conservatives were allowed to field a politically-seasoned former councillor, Andrew Mortimer, against new candidates.

His sentiments were echoed by Liberal Democrat elected mayor Dorothy Thornhill.

She said: “I think it is absolutely unfair the Tories are sending a senior politician. In that case Mike Jackson should stand in for Labour and I should stand in for the Lib Dems.”

As well as the political wrangling, the organisers of the hustings faced another setback this week when the Watford Community Housing Trust pulled its funding for the event.

The trust said it was withdrawing support after political parties in the town complained that it was supporting the event. The trust told the Radlett Road Community Association it had to remain politically impartial.

Despite the problems over the last week Fred Grindrod, one of the event’s organisers, said it was still going ahead and its aim was to give residents to a chance to ask their questions before the vote.

He said a politically-neutral compere, Fr David Stevenson from St John’s Church, had been found to moderate the debate.

Mr Grindrod added: “We are trying to get back to talking about the issues that affect residents every day and not get caught up in this political storm that happens every time there’s an election.”