Campaigners wanting shamed Bracknell MP Andrew MacKay to resign now were fuming after they were turned away from a ballot to choose his replacement.

Members of the Goodbye MacKay group turned up at the open primary, which was won by GP Dr Phillip Lee, hoping to quiz the seven candidates, but were not allowed in.

Tories choose Phillip Lee to stand in Bracknell

They wanted to ask whether the hopefuls thought it was acceptable Mr MacKay decided not to step down until the next General Election rather than going immediately.

They say he should have resigned at once and are furious he is still working as an MP, claiming expenses and paying into a pension.

Members of the group, which formed last year after Mr MacKay’s expenses were revealed, are particularly unhappy at the “golden handshake” he receives when he leaves.

Mr MacKay was found to be claiming for second home expenses on a house his wife, fellow MP Julie Kirkbride, had declared as her main home.

Campaign founder Dan Haycocks said on the group’s website: “We went along to the Bracknell Conservatives ‘Open’ Primary at the Blue Mountain Golf Club to have our voices heard by asking one question, the same question, to each of the seven prospective candidates to replace Andrew Mackay. 

“We had valid tickets, we were all Bracknell Forest residents, yet as soon as it became clear we were asking uncomfortable questions, the heavies were brought in, and we were thrown out.”

The members of the group said they also tried to join Bracknell Conservative Association, but were denied.

The association said it has the right to refuse and that a number of the members lived in areas which are moving into the Windsor constituency at the next election.

Mr MacKay was not at the ballot, but his agent Councillor Mary Ballin organised the event.

She said: “Mr Haycocks has written to the MP and called at my office to put his case that Andrew should resign and a by-election should be held.   

“He wishes to interview Andrew and publish this interview on Youtube. 

“We have declined the interview and Mr Haycocks has called at the office again.  

“Mr Haycocks says he had a ticket for the Open Primary.  

“He did not apply himself, so this ticket must have been issued to someone else.”  

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