Labour in Watford has finally selected its candidate to take on Richard Harrington at the next general election after intervention by the national party.

Momentum and Unite union-backed Mike Hedges could only finish second, as Chris Ostrowski, who represented Watford in the 2017 election, was voted in at a hustings last night.

It was standing room only as around 300 members packed into the Multicultural Centre in Durban Road West.

Mr Ostrowski secured 218 votes to Mr Hedges' 82, while he also fought off competition from Sucharita Sethi and Jocelynne Scutt.

Watford Observer:

The selection process, originally scheduled to take place in December, had to be extended after a formal complaint was made over “postal vote irregularities” by Unite the union.

The National Executive Committee (NEC), the governing body for the Labour Party, had already overruled Watford Labour’s decision not to shortlist Mike Hedges.

Mr Ostrowski brought his party to within 2,000 votes of the Conservatives in June’s election, squeezing the Tories’ majority by 8,000 votes, as Labour secured its highest vote count since 1997.

He said: “I am humbled by the huge support I have received in this contest. We are now united and the Watford Labour Party is campaigning on full throttle as there could be a general election any time.

“This weak and incompetent Tory Government is letting the people of Watford down. It's time for a change.”

Watford Observer:

Mike Jackson, chairman of Watford Labour Party, added: “I am delighted Chris has been selected. I thank other candidates who showed an interest in this now highly marginal seat.

"We can now get on with the job of preparing for the general election, when I am confident that we will unseat Richard Harrington the Tory MP.”

After the result, Mr Hedges tweeted: "Congratulations to @Chris4Watford. Thanks to all those who voted for me - I’m proud to have stood and come second. Looking forward to working with you all to deliver a Labour government!"

A Unite spokesman said: "This was always about giving Watford CLP members a choice. With Mike coming second, far ahead of the other losing candidates, it was right that he was on the ballot paper.

"Unite now looks forward to working with Labour members in Watford to getting their chosen candidate elected and delivering a Corbyn Labour government.”

A spokesman for Momentum said: "Congratulations to Chris Ostrowski for being selected in Watford. We look forward to helping him win Watford for Labour at the next election."