Hundreds of Labour members have called for the party to give them a say on their General Election candidate after Lloyd Russell-Moyle was removed as Brighton Kemptown MP.

More than 200 people have signed a petition calling on the party’s National Executive Committee to give Kemp Town residents a say on who should replace Mr Russell-Moyle after he was suspended from the party over serious allegations made about him.

It comes after the Labour Party announced that former Keir Starmer aide Chris Ward would be taking over the candidacy ahead of July 4.

The petition said: “Our members understand and unconditionally support the seriousness with which the Party investigates such complaints.

“Notwithstanding, they have expressed concerns regarding the hurried nature of the process for choosing another candidate to fight this election and their consequent lack of agency in this process.”

Mr Russell-Moyle was suspended from the Labour Party last week and announced he would not be standing in the General Election amid an investigation into alleged misconduct eight years ago.

Former Brighton and Hove City Council leader Nancy Platts says she was interviewed for the vacant position but found out on social media during her meeting that the position would likely go to Chris Ward.

The Labour Party announced the day after Mr Russell-Moyle’s announcement that Ward, a former speechwriter for Keir Starmer who is now the director of a PR firm, would be standing in the Kemptown and Peacehaven constituency.

The Green Party’s Elaine Hills, Tory candidate Khobie Vallis and Stewart Stone for the Liberal Democrats are all contesting the election.

They are joined by Worker’s Party candidate Elaine Ghoneim. Social Democrat Valerie Gray and Party of Women activist Kelly-Jay Keen have also announced their plans to stand.

Mr Russell-Moyle said he would not be standing as an independent candidate, saying he “wished Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner, and the Labour team the best of luck and hope to be celebrating Labour wins across Sussex and beyond on election night."