CHESTER’S Conservative Party candidate has apologised for not being able to take part in a question time debate due to illness.

Stephen Mosley, Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate, was due to attend the debate as part of the University of Chester Diversity Festival on Friday.

He had been invited along with Lib Dem PPC Elizabeth Jewkes, Alan Weddell, UKIP candidate, and Chester’s Labour MP Christine Russell.

But Mr Mosley was taken ill on Monday last week and had been admitted to the Countess of Chester Hospital.

In a letter to the organisers of the event, Mr Mosley said: “I am really sorry not to be with you this year as I thoroughly enjoyed the Diversity Festival last year when Baroness Warsi gave a lecture on The Conservative Party and Diversity.”

Chester Conservative Party campaign director Simon Harris said: “Stephen is now out and about. He has agreed and is looking forward to at least three more debates with his electoral opponents.”