The confidentiality of the 23 would-be MPs, who have applied for the vacant prospective Tory parliamentary candidacy, is being taken so seriously that NO ONE outside the selection committee and party workers know who they are.

On Monday, association chairman Mark Stocks said it was 'inappropiate' to name names because of the high level of media interest in the selection.

"It's just to give everyone a fair opportunity," he said. "If an individual name came out it may put people off.

"There is a confidentiality matter with the interview and we want that to remain." Clr Stocks said it was unlikely that any names would be released until the 'knockout' interview procedure had shortened the list to the last eight or four.

And he said none of the identities of the 23 original applicants would ever be released to the press and public.

Party sources this week revealed that five of the applicants were local - businessman Roly Bardsley, former town mayor Derek Squirrell, Chris Grayling and two un-named others.

The remaining 18 are from outside the constituency but it is not known how many are high profile figures within the Conservative Party.

Tory big-guns and former Cabinet ministers such as Michael Portillo, Chris Patten, Sebastian Coe and Michael Forsyth have been linked with the candidacy in recent months.

All 23 candidates will be interviewed by the selection panel next weekend. The final choice will be made on March 18.

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