BURNLEY man Shahid Malik is appealing against the decision to eliminate him from the race to stand as the Parliamentary candidate for Brent East in London.

Despite winning the most nominations in the first stage of the process, members of Brent East Labour Party's general committee decided not to put the 36-year-old son of former Burnley Mayor, Councillor Rafique Malik, on the final short-list.

It will be voted on by party members later this month.

Mr Malik, 36, who four years ago became the first ethnic minority person to be elected to Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC), has appealed on the grounds that the committee should have paid due regard to those nominations in drawing up that list.

But Brent East Labour Party's general committee claims that under the party rules it has the right to choose the candidates it wants to go forward for the vote.

Mr Malik, a former pupil of Barden High School, works as a regeneration adviser and splits his time between his homes in London and Burnley,

He confirmed that he had lodged an appeal but said he could not comment any further on the matter until his appeal had been heard.

Peter Coghill, vice-chairman of Brent East Labour Party said: "Under the party rules the general committee is entitled to make a decision on the short-list and we made a decision based on his politics.

"We decided not to short-list him based on his voting record on the National Executive Committee and the fact that he voted against a motion on foundation hospitals made by Brent East Labour Party and Unison at the Labour Party conference last year."

He added: "You can't shout foul when the vote goes against you - there is no obligation for people to vote for you."

The appeal will be considered by the NEC.

The vote on the final short-list for the Labour Party candidacy in Brent East is expected to take place as planned on February 19.