The Liberal Democrats were hit with accusations yesterday of denying members in Hartlepool the chance to vote for a candidate with "rock-solid" local connections.

National party treasurer Reg Clark was left off the shortlist put to the local party, despite being selected on a long list by Hartlepool members.

The Hartlepool-born businessman was eliminated by the party's by-election committee.

Barrister Jody Dunn, from Gainford, near Darlington, was selected to fight the seat instead, when it is vacated by Peter Mandelson in the autumn.

The former cabinet minister is to become an EU Commissioner.

Yesterday, Labour's campaign co-ordinator Tom Watson said: "Nothing illustrates the arrogance and ignorance of the Lib Dems more than their decision to dump the man who was head boy of the local comprehensive, played rugby for West Hartlepool and had a hugely successful international business career to ensure the selection of a barrister who has a home miles away and who has never lived in Hartlepool.

"I have no doubt that the Lib Dems will soon be up to all their old tricks and will be describing their candidate as a `local campaigner' and a `leading local barrister', but the reality is now crystal clear: she has been parachuted in by the Lib Dem leadership from outside."

But the Liberal Democrats insisted they were "laughing" at Labour's claims.

A spokesman for the party said the by-election committee which eliminated Mr Clark contained national, regional and local members.

He said: "Jody Dunn was not the front-runner before the selection, but she stormed it on the night with her speech. Labour must be running scared if the best they can do is dig up information about a candidate who wasn't shortlisted." Labour is set to choose its candidate on Friday.