Braintree Conservatives have chosen their new prospective parliamentary candidate following MP Brooks Newmark's decision to step down after becoming embroiled in a sex scandal.

James Cleverly is the London Assembly member for Bexley and Bromley and chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority.

In 2005 he was the Conservative candidate for the Westminster seat of Lewisham East and last year was shortlisted for selection in Bury St Edmunds in October and for Bexhill and Battle in November.

The other candidates were Michael McManus, Suella Fernades and Sarah Macken.

Mr Cleverly will defend Mr Newmark’s current majority of 16,121.

Mr Newmark had been chosen to defend his seat in the General Election but stepped down when he became involved in a tabloid sex text sting and it was later revealed he had had an affair.