Councillor Maria Caulfield has failed in her bid to replace a controversial MP.

Coun Caulfield, Brighton and Hove City Council’s cabinet member for housing, was on the shortlist to become the Conservative candidate for Gosport, Hampshire.

She was one of six people interviewed to replace Sir Peter Viggers.

But after being grilled by the local Conservative Association, Coun Caulfield was not included in their final four.

Coun Caulfield, who represents Moulsecoomb and Bevendean, was criticised by fellow councillors for placing her own political ambitions before local residents.