AN MP who resigned the Tory Whip has attacked the Conservatives for not allowing him to retain his party membership.

A spokesman for Conservative headquarters confirmed Castle Point MP Bob Spink was no longer considered a member of the party following his resignation of the Whip in March.

At the time he criticised the party for not protecting him from local association attempts to deselect him.

Jo Hindley, Conservative Party central office spokeswoman, said: "He had the Whip withdrawn when he resigned and it will not be returned to him. As far as we are concerned, he is no longer a representative of the Conservative Party.

"If he wants to renew his membership he won't be able to do so."

But the now independent MP, who is also still refusing to stand down as president of Benfleet Conservative Club, claimed he was unaware he could not remain as a member of the Tory ranks.

He said: "If it is true, it is a little vindictive and shows how low the party is now sinking.

"I wanted to remain a Conservative, but would have to consider how best I can serve local people and my country if they expelled me from my party.

"My Conservative clubs would be put in a tough position.

"I know of no reason why the Tories should do this and guess local people would want answers as to why."

Dr Spink, who accused local Tory grandees of "criminal irregularities" following his resignation, also launched an attack on Conservative Party policy on Europe.

He said: "The greatest current failure of the party is its opportunistic attack on Labour for supporting the EU constitution, while it refuses to promise to remove the constitution if it ever gets power itself. This is breathtakingly hypocritical.

"The public will punish the Conservatives for lack of leadership and honesty on this issue as on so much else like development, failure to prioritise Canvey's road and refusal to tackle crime and immigration."