Tory candidate quits after arrest

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It is understood that Ian Oakley stood down after being arrested by police looking into complaints of a campaign of poison pen letters, nuisance calls and vandalism directed at local Liberal Democrats.

A Hertfordshire Police spokeswoman confirmed that a 31-year-old man from West Drayton had been arrested on Friday in connection with a series of criminal damage and harassment offences. He was released on police bail without charge pending further inquiries.

The spokeswoman said the alleged victims were local members of a national political party.

Mr Cameron told BBC1's Andrew Marr Show: "As I understand it, the candidate has resigned.

"We are going through some legal proceedings and so I don't think it would be right to comment further, but basically he has resigned as the candidate."

Labour's Claire Ward held Watford by a slim majority of 1,148 over the Liberal Democrats in the 2005 General Election. The constituency is one of the few areas of the country where there is a three-way split in votes between the major parties, making it a target seat for both Tories and Lib Dems.