Labour MP Candy Atherton asked her "openly gay" researcher to "dig up dirt" on the sexuality of the Conservative candidate for her Cornwall seat, it has been alleged.

Paul Phillips refused and resigned from his post in the Commons, and then launched proceedings against the Falmouth and Cambourne MP for discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.

Atherton's representatives yesterday denied asking him to make inquiries about the sexual orientation of Conservative candidate Ashley Crossley, claiming Phillips was only asked to make inquiries about him because they "didn't know him and couldn't find out any information about him".

A full hearing will take place next year.