A candidate for the forthcoming parliamentary by-election in Leicester South has withdrawn. Bob Ball was selected to stand for the Green Party.
But the party says it is short of cash after the European parliamentary elections and wants to concentrate its resources on the next general election.
Mr Ball has opposed the expansion of Nottingham East Midlands Airport. The by-election follows the death of Labour MP Jim Marshall in May.
Narrow loss
Mr Ball missed getting elected in the Leicester City Council elections in 2003, when a tie was decided by drawing lots.
Former city council leader Sir Peter Soulsby is standing for Labour in the by-election and councillor Parmjit Singh Gill will be representing the Liberal Democrats.
On Tuesday, Conservative leader Michael Howard named Chris Heaton-Harris as the Tory candidate.
Mr Heaton-Harris was recently re-elected as one of the East Midlands' six MEPs.
No date has yet been set for the by-election but it is thought likely to take place next month.