Company boss Heidi Allen, who had the nomination as Tory Parliamentary candidate for SE Cambs snatched from her by a ballot box error, will not challenge the result.

Mrs Allen, a district councillor from St Albans and managing director of a paint company, issued a statement tonight accepting the decision to “re-affirm” QC Lucy Frazer as candidate.

Mrs Allen said she was “very disappointed that I was unsuccessful but we must now look to the future”.

A review of voting from the open primary held to select a candidate in December discovered that far from losing, Mrs Allen had won.

But miscounting of votes gave the nomination to her rival Lucy Frazer, and on Friday night the Tory association voted to retain Mrs Frazer.

Mrs Allen said: “Following South East Cambridgeshire Conservative Association’s decision on Friday to reaffirm Lucy Frazer as their candidate, I feel it is now appropriate for me to say a few words.

“First and foremost, I wish Lucy the very best of luck in the months and years ahead. I know she will work extremely hard for the people of SE Cambridgeshire and will use her intellect and advocacy skills to ensure they always get the very best deal.

“I am of course very disappointed that I was unsuccessful, but we must now look to the future.

“I would like to offer my sincere thanks to every person and business that has helped and supported me; I have met some wonderful people and I feel sure that we will remain friends.

“SE Cambridgeshire is a fantastic part of the country and has so many opportunities for prosperity and growth.”

“In the spirit of moving forward, I urge everyone to support Lucy and to help her in her quest for election in 2015.

“It is only by working together that we achieve success and there are some truly dedicated, caring people in SE Cambridgeshire. Together you will continue to achieve amazing things.

She said: “I hope that I will have the opportunity to represent the people of another constituency at the general election in 2015. Wherever that may be, you have my word that I will always do whatever I can to promote business in Cambridgeshire. I wish you all the very, very best.”