Uncertainty continues in one Cumbrian constituency, as it remains without a Conservative candidate for the forthcoming General Election.

Penrith and the Border has been a Tory stronghold for year, but was thrown into disarray when previous MP Rory Stewart rebelled against the Government over Brexit and had the whip withdrawn.

He subsequently resigned from the party, sitting as an Independent, before announcing he would not contest the seat in a general election as he is instead running for Mayor of London.

Dissent in the ranks was almost immediate, with Robert Craig resigning his Tory Party membership and position as association president in the wake of Mr Stewart’s suspension from the Conservatives.

At the time Mr Craig said he felt let down by the local party.

The dissatisfaction within the local party is rumoured to have continued, with reports that the association executive walked out during a recent candidate selection meeting.

Helen Fearon, chairman of the Penrith and the Border Conservative Party, said she was unable to comment on any issues.

A spokesman for the north west region Conservative party said that he would not comment on any issues surrounding selection or address any rumours regarding walk-outs.

"This is an internal matter," he said.

However, the spokesman confirmed that the party is expecting to announce its candidate for the seat today.

Candidates already confirmed for the Penrith and the Border seat are:

Jonathan Davies, Putting Cumbria First

Ali Ross, Green Party

Matthew Severn, Liberal Democrats

Sarah Williams, Labour