A former advisor to Theresa May has been selected to become the Conservative candidate for Matt Hancock’s parliamentary seat in Suffolk despite reported interest from a Cumbrian MP.

Nick Timothy, who is the former chief of staff for Mrs May, has been selected to fight the West Suffolk seat for the Conservatives at the next election.

Former Channel Four and BBC political journalist, Michael Crick, reported that the current MP for Penrith and the Border, Dr Neil Hudson, had been included on a long list for selection for the seat.

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Dr Hudson had originally applied to become the Conservative candidate for the new Penrith and the Solway seat but lost out to current Workington MP, Mark Jenkinson.

The chairperson of the West Suffolk Conservative Association, said it had been a "rigorous, open and transparent process” to select their next candidate.

Mr Hancock had the Conservative whip removed last year when he appeared on the popular TV show, ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here’.