THE controversial bid by disgraced former Kent MP Jonathan Aitken to resurrect his political career could be halted in its tracks even before it is off the ground.

Peter Booth, the chairman of the Thanet South Conservative constituency association said Mr Aitken had no chance of being adopted as the prospective parliamentary candidate for the seat he lost to Labour in 1997.

Mr Booth also warned Mr Aitken’s chequered history and his jail sentence would scupper the party’s prospects of winning both the seat and returning the Tories to power.

“Hell will freeze over before we select someone who was part of our problems back in the 1990s and threw the party into one of the worst periods in its history. He has more chance of becoming the centre forward for Manchester United,” he said.

“We are trying to get the right people to stand and take on Labour, we are in that process and are confident that we will get someone who has a fighting chance of winning the seat back.”

He said the issue was academic as Mr Aitken’s application would, in any case, be vetoed because he had not complied with party rules relating to those eligible to put their name forward.

He had only renewed his party membership in January – meaning he had failed to meet the minimum three month deadline which applies to would-be candidates.

In addition, he was not on Central Office’s approved candidates list, meaning his name could not go into the hat.

“He knows full well that he is not met the requirements. He is not on the approved candidates list.”

Mr Aitken said he wanted the chance for his name to go forward after around 200 constituency activists signed a petition backing him.

But Mr Booth cast doubt on the petition, saying some of those who had signed it had been hoodwinked into believing it was a petition to allow him back as a party member.

Meanwhile, the Thanet South Labour MP Dr Steve Ladyman laughed off the prospect of an Aitken challenge. He said: “Nothing surprises me about the Tories. They are in such a mess.

"I suppose if they can re-cycle Michael Howard and Tim Yeo, then they can recycle Jonathan Aitken.

"I am now expecting them to bring back Neil Hamilton and Jeffrey Archer. All it would do would remind people of what they were like before 1997."