The Midland politician accused of colluding with the English Defence League has resigned.

Afzal Amin, the Conservative candiate for Dudley North , had been due to meet party officials and plead to be allowed to continue as candidate in the highly marginal seat.

A Tory party spokesman said: “Afzal Amin is resigning as Conservative candidate for Dudley North with immediate effect.

“Conservative chairman Grant Shapps has welcomed Mr Amin’s decision and thanked him for his work in the past.”

It is understood the Conservative Party will now select a new candidate to fight the constituency at the General Election

Mr Amin had insisted he would mount a “robust defence” of his actions in attempting to “stage-manage” a row with the far-right English Defence League in order to boost his electoral chances in the constituency.

But he has now given up the battle and quit.

The Conservative Party will begin the process of selecting a new candidate for the highly marginal seat, which Labour held with a majority of 649 votes in 2010.

Afzal Amin's profile page on the Conservative Party website