A TORY MEP from Kent has been deselected in a row over his expenses claims.

Party chiefs ordered that Bashir Khanbai, who lives in Sevenoaks but represents the Conservatives in the Eastern region, be taken off the candidates’ list just days after he got the backing of leader Michael Howard.

The decision was made after fresh information about his expenses came to light.

Mr Khanbai was caught up in a row after it emerged he had claimed travel expenses to and from an address which did not exist.

Although he lives in Sevenoaks, he claimed expenses to get from Heathrow airport to an address in Norfolk.

The MEP was forced to return some £7,000 he had claimed but was initially cleared to remain as a candidate after an internal Tory investigation.

In a statement, Conservative Central Office said the decision had been taken “in the light of new information.”

The details are to be forwarded to the European Parliament authorities for further investigation.