A Liberal Democrat has admitted trying to persuade an Independent General Election candidate to stand down - because her involvement could help the Tories.

Chemist Jeff Harris, who runs a pharmacy in Botley Road, Oxford, asked Sigrid Shreeve not to stand in the Oxford West and Abingdon constituency because it could give the Tories a crucial advantage.

Dr Evan Harris won for the Lib Dems at the 1997 election, but a five per cent swing to the Conservatives would let them back in.

Jeff Harris, who is standing as a Liberal Democrat candidate for Oxford West in the county council election, said: "I did ask Ms Shreeve not to stand, but I did it of my own volition, not because Evan asked me to."

Jeff Harris's actions followed a similar alleged incident involving the Liberal Democrat MP, according to Ms Shreeve. A spokesman for Evan Harris says her claims are completely unfounded.

Ms Shreeve, who is standing on a No Spin ticket, said: "In a telephone conversation, Evan Harris suggested that I should not stand because it would help the Tories.

"He was saying that I would get some of his votes. When I challenged him, he then clarified his position and said I had every right to stand. He then apologised for the unreasonable way he had been talking to me."

Ms Shreeve said she was prepared to forget the alleged incident but was infuriated when Jeff Harris tried to talk politics with her mother, who was visiting his shop. Ms Shreeve complained to Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy.

Jeff Harris admitted asking Ms Shreeve to stand down.

"I don't see how that is intimidatory," he added. "I did not say 'I will not give your mother medicine if you don't stand down'.

Ms Shreeve's written complaint to Mr Kennedy received a two-line acknowledgement.

Evan Harris's constituency agent, Victoria Marsom, said: "We believe that these allegations of intimidation are completely unfounded and note that no evidence whatsoever has been produced to back them up.

"We offered to meet Ms Shreeve to discuss her concerns as soon as we were aware of them. However, she has rejected such a meeting.