Howard Flight is refusing to back down in the continuing row over the decision to oust him as a Conservative candidate in the general election.

Flight is seeking to organise a meeting of party activists in his constituency of Arundel and South Downs, and is hoping to stay on as candidate with the support of local members.

Party leader Michael Howard, who yesterday attempted to move on from the row by unveiling policies on childcare, is coming under increasing criticism for the severity of the action taken against Flight.

David Mellor, the former Cabinet minister, said that Howard's decision to deselect Flight was "outrageous, cruel and heartless".

Mellor said: "You would not treat your worst enemy in the way Michael Howard has Howard Flight".

Flight's constituency association president has also threatened to resign over the affair.

Baroness O'Cathain described Flight's treatment as "brutal" and backed the call for an extraordinary meeting of the association to hear the case.

However, at a news conference on Monday the Tory leader told reporters that he was standing by his decision that Flight could not be a Conservative candidate.

"I don't regret the decision that I took at all," he said.

The Sun reports that Howard is also locked in dispute with constituency officials in Slough.

Conservative headquarters has suspended all the party's Slough officials in a row over an imposed candidate.