The beleaguered Hendon Conservative Association will continue under its present leadership until at least the summer, although Central Office expelled it from the national party in January.

The National Union, the Conservative party's ruling body, which upheld complaints against local chairman George Ward and his officers, has itself been suspended under William Hague's reforms of the national party.

No action can now be taken against the Hendon party until June, meaning Mr Ward's administration will take the group into the local elections. The row was triggered by more than 60 long-serving Hendon members who wrote to Conservative chairman Lord Parkinson asking him to resolve the association's problems or allow them to found their own group.

They claimed distinguished local party workers had been ousted from positions of influence and replaced by the employees and family of Mr Ward, the multi-millionaire owner of photo firm Bonusprint.

A committee of senior Tories recommended the association be disaffiliated from the national party in January and gave Mr Ward and his officers three weeks to appeal. But Mr Ward's solicitors queried the appeal procedure and fear of litigation delayed a National Union decision.

Association officer Councillor Anthony Spencer said: "Our feeling is that no action will be taken against us at all. We plan to fight the local election with some excellent candidates and apply to join the new reformed Conservative party like all local associations.

"A Central Office spokeswoman confirmed: "Nothing has been able to go forward. The National Union is in suspension until June 15 when a new board of management will be appointed. Any decision on the Hendon Association will be up to the new board."

The delay will mean Hale councillor Sheila Scott will not be a Hendon candidate in May because George Ward's administration expelled her from the association. Mrs Scott and former councillor Jane Ellison were expelled in October after alleged misconduct, which both deny.

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