A former regional journalist chosen to stand for Labour has been deselected as a candidate just nine days later.

Sally Gimson, who began her journalism career on the Cambridge News, has been removed from her role as the party’s candidate for Bassetlaw.

The Nottingham Post has reported Sally’s deselection came after complaints relating to “very serious allegations” concerning “protected characteristics”, which can relate to issues surrounding race, disability, and sexuality.

Sally has strenuously denied the allegations, saying she has been “thrown out on trumped up charges that only came to light five days ago”.

Sally Gimson with Labour supporters in Bassetlaw

She told the Post’s Nottinghamshire Live sister website: “From the outset, I was not the preferred candidate.”

Senior Labour sources in Bassetlaw, Nottinghamshire, have been quoted by the site as saying they are “immensely frustrated” at the decision, with one accusing the national party of “inventing” allegations.

The party’s National Executive Committee took the decision today, but told Nottinghamshire Live it does not comment on internal selection matters.

Sally was a Labour councillor between 2011 and 2018, spending some of that time as cabinet member for adult social care, as well as holding the portfolio for the environment and sustainability, at Camden Council.

She has most recently served as deputy editor of the Index on Censorship magazine.

Posting on Twitter, Sally added: “Thanks so much everyone for their support. Just to be clear I do not recognise the allegations which are vague and part of a smear campaign against me.

“I’m backed the Labour Party in Bassetlaw and by Holborn & St Pancras Labour and will continue to engage with my lawyers.”