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A Conservative chairman has been suspended from the party after urging Tory supporters to vote for a Liberal Democrat MP to keep out Labour in a key marginal London seat.

Justin Hinchcliffe has also been removed from the post of chairman of Tottenham Conservatives following his letter to the party faithful encouraging them to back Lib-Dem Lynne Featherstone in the neighbouring Hornsey and Wood Green constituency.

“To put it bluntly, if Lynne loses in Hornsey & Wood Green, Ed Miliband is another step closer to being Britain’s next Prime Minister. Because in this constituency, if Lynne doesn’t win, Labour will,” he wrote.

He argued that not even the Conservative candidate in Hornsey & Wood Green, Suhail Rahuja, expected to win the seat.

Local Tories could vote for Home Office minister Ms Featherstone, he added, with a “good conscience” because:

* She did not refuse a Government post and sit on the sidelines as part of the “awkward squad”.

* She took on “serious and challenging ministerial roles and performed effectively”.

* She has been the “victim of relentless and vicious attacks” from Labour for being part of the Coaltion, but “has never given up”.

He stressed that a recent constituency poll had shown it was “neck and neck” between Ms Featherstone and Labour.

“Please vote for Lynne, as this will stop Labour picking up an extra MP here,” he added.

But Mr Hinchcliffe’s stance is understood to have led to around 25 complaints, including from local Conservatives, and the central party stepped in.

A Conservative spokesman said: “The Party Chairman Grant Shapps has today suspended his membership, and removed him as an Officer of the Association with immediate effect, pending a full Board decision.”

Mr Hinchcliffe told The Standard: “Sometimes people are forced to chose with going with their head or heart. I’m very fortunate that I was able to chose both.

Ed Miliband and Ed Balls would wreck Britain’s recovery. That’s why it’s so important to stop Labour in every seat.”