Candidate chosen to replace late MP.

(From The Northern Echo)

Byline: Graeme Hetherington

A FORMER employee of Ashok Kumar has been selected to replace the MP as Labour's candidate for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland.

Tom Blenkinsop, a campaign manager with steel union Community, was chosen on Saturday afternoon at a hustings meeting in Guisborough.

The 29-year-old, who worked in Dr Kumar's constituency office for six years, takes over the candidacy following the MP's death last month.

Mr Blenkinsop said: "A s a local man brought up in Marton, and now living in Saltburn, it's an absolute honour to be selected by my friends.

"Over the next few weeks, I'll …