Brighton and Hove Conservatives insist there is "no point" speculating about the reason for a last-minute decision to cancel a party election.

The Argus has uncovered an air of intrigue surrounding the sudden scrapping of a meeting to select the new Parliamentary hopeful for the Brighton Kemptown constituency.

It has even been claimed party leader Michael Howard personally ordered the postponement.

Councillor Geoffrey Theobald, who contested the seat last time, was due to speak to members at the session on Tuesday together with two candidates from outside the area, Ian Gibb and Hannah Hall.

But some party members, who had not been alerted to the last-minute cancellation, arrived to find the hall shut.

More than 100 people had originally applied to fight the seat, now held by Labour MP Des Turner.

There was surprise in some quarters when David Gold, who fought a flamboyant campaign in Pavilion two years ago, did not make the shortlist.

Mr Gold is a national vice-president of Conservative Future, which is the youth wing of the party.

A source told The Argus Mr Howard took the decision to halt the election after visiting Lewes last month.

Mr Theobald has been a councillor since the Sixties. Both he and his late father, Stanley, were mayors of Brighton and Coun Theobald has led the Tories on both East Sussex County Council and Brighton and Hove City Council.

Conservative Central Office said: "Due to technical difficulties during the selection process in Brighton Kemp Town, the decision has been taken to suspend the process until these difficulties have been fully looked into.

"The investigation will be carried out as quickly as possible so that the selection process in Brighton Kemp Town can resume.

"It would not be sensible to make any more comments on this matter until the investigation has been completed."

Tory agent Ed Faulkner said: "Conservative Central Office has not told us what the technicality is and there is absolutely no point speculating about it."

Coun Theobald said last night: "I would rather not make any comment."

Tory councillor Brian Oxley is standing down as the opposition group leader on the city council.

But he will continue to serve as the Conservative councillor for Westbourne ward.

Coun Oxley cited time constraints as the main reason for his departure but said he was also considering resuming his career in the House of Commons.

In the past, Coun Oxley has worked for Tory MPs including Howard Flight, the member for Arundel and South Downs.

Coun Oxley said: "It has been a real privilege leading the group for the past two-and-a-half years. The highlight was when we gained the largest number of votes of any party in the council elections."

Coun Oxley was narrowly defeated by Nicholas Boles in the race to be selected as prospective Parliamentary candidate for Hove last month.

There are 20 Tories on the city council. They will decide early next year who should take on the top job.

He said: "I would like to offer my successor every good wish for the future."

Labour council leader Ken Bodfish said: "Brian was a good leader who stood his ground well and put the Conservative cause effectively.

"He was prepared to co-operate on some issues but put his case of opposition on others and he was always honest."

Coun Oxley took over as leader of the Tory group from the long-serving Geoffrey Theobald.

Coun Theobald remains a possible contender for the vacancy if he misses out in the race to become Kemptown parliamentary hopeful.

Another possibility is finance spokesman Garry Peltzer Dunn, the former leader of Hove Council.