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Former Conservative MEP Edward McMillan-Scott has ended a High Court action against the party that his lawyers claim would have resulted in a "landmark ruling".
On Friday he revealed he has joined the Liberal Democrats - he remains an MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber.
McMillan-Scott was expelled from the Tory party after his criticism of the alleged extremist views of Polish MEP Michal Kaminski, a candidate from the European Conservatives and Reformists Group.
The group was created by David Cameron after the European elections in June 2009 when he took the Tories out of the centre-right EPP.
McMillan-Scott described Kaminksi at the time as an 'inappropriate and unsuitable candidate' because of Kaminski's 'anti-Semitic, homophobic and racist links'.
On September 15 last year McMillan-Scott was expelled from the Conservative Party after 25 years as an MEP - he appealed the decision.
Solicitors Russell Jones and Walker represented him at his appeal hearing at CCHQ.
"Mr McMillan-Scott's permanent expulsion from the party was unconstitutional and plainly against all principles of natural justice," said Paul Daniels, a partner at RJW.
"No warning of impending expulsion was given, no hearing was afforded to our client prior to the expulsion and no formal reasons were given for the decision.
"The party acted grossly in breach of natural justice on any view.
"Our client had a strong appeal, which was surprisingly rejected, and a clear claim in the High Court.
"The High Court action was expected to be a landmark case which would rule on the circumstances in which on how political parties regulate or expel members.
"However, the Conservative party refused last week to disclose documents relevant to his appeal or to allow Mr McMillan-Scott to postpone his final appeal hearing, scheduled for March 18, until documents had been disclosed as required by the Data Protection Act.
"This was the last straw for Mr McMillan-Scott.
"It has become clear to us that he will not receive a fair hearing from the Conservative party."
A spokesman for the Conservative party declined to comment on the High Court case, which has now been dropped.
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd
Ray Alley
17th Mar 2010 at 9:52 pm