Supporters of two Labour candidates vying to challenge Richard Harrington at the next election gathered at the site of a cancelled hustings meeting last night.

Around 20 people turned up to the Multi Cultural Community Centre in Durban Road, Watford, including supporters of Mike Hedges and Chris Ostrowski as well as Mr Ostrowski himself.

They were there to tell people who had turned up for the hustings, which was scheduled to take place on Thursday night, that it had been postponed due to a Labour Party investigation into the selection process.

An email was sent out to members on Wednesday but some were not aware and turned up to the community centre.

Nabila Ahmed, who is backing Mike Hedges for Watford, said he was glad that any wrongdoing has come to light and is looking forward to a democratic process.

“In any democratic process procedures need to be followed but some weren’t done correctly.

“It’s good that it can be sorted out but mistakes can happen. I’m sure there was no malice. The key is we found it.

Ms Ahmed says she has been “inspired” by Mr Hedges and added that he “continues to inspire those that support him”.

Supporters for Chris Ostrowski outnumbered those for Mr Hedges outside the hall.

Leggats borough councillor Richard Smith said: “Everything is above board but I don’t think it will make much of a difference. I still think Chris will win.

“We saw last time how everyone rallied round one candidate.

“With this investigation, there can be no dispute. I don’t think people are bothered by the internal politics. We all have the same aim which is to look forwards towards a Labour government,” he added.

The hustings was cancelled after Unite the union, which is backing Mike Hedges, made an official complaint about the way in which postal votes had been sent out in early November.

Initially, the procedures secretary had sent out ballot papers without a space where member should put their signature.

A postal vote becomes void if there is no signature because an officer needs to be able to match the signatures on a postal vote form and ballot paper.

In an attempt to rectify his mistake, the procedures secretary sent out emergency postal votes but Unite says these were delivered by supporters of another candidate and cannot be certain that the papers weren’t “tampered” with.

The Labour East regional office will now run the application process. The issuing of postal ballots is to be rerun while eligible members will be given the opportunity to apply for a postal form which will be and issued by and returned to the regional office.

A Labour source suggested to the Observer they believed Unite had made the complaint because they realised Mr Hedges did not have the necessary support and were using it as an opportunity to gain more time to campaign.

However Unite refute this claim.

A spokeswoman said: “That is a totally ridiculous situation and an insult to Labour’s rules and processes. We want the rules respected. When they are clearly not being respected then the party should investigate.”

An exact date for the hustings has not yet been set but there is hope that it will take place next month.