A General Election candidate has expressed his disappointment at not being allowed on stage when the results were announced in Sutton.

Shasha Khan stood for the Green Party in Carshalton and Wallington and said he feels Sutton Council was 'overprotecting' the winning Lib Dem candidate from any potential embarrassment.

The council say that it was not unusual for candidates to not stand on the stage and it has been the practice in the borough 'in recent times'.

Liberal Democrat Tom Brake was re-elected, securing 41 per cent of the vote in the constituency.

When the Sutton and Cheam announcement was made without candidates appearing on stage, Mr Khan said asked council chief executive Niall Bolger whether the Carshalton and Wallington candidates would be permitted on stage to maintain “tradition”.

Mr Khan - who was asked to leave a council meeting he disrupted last month - has previously stood four times in Croydon North, where he did get to stand on stage.

He said: "I feel they were overprotecting Tom Brake from any embarrassment."

According to Mr Khan, Mr Brake was heckled during his acceptance speech but that he “twice” congratulated Mr Brake for his win.

Mr Khan said he has lodged a complaint to Sutton Council.

Sutton Council's chief executive Niall Bolger said: "In recent times,candidates have not stood on the stage at Sutton when the counts have been announced.

"As with all election arrangements, we will review this practice for the future if there is a desire to see this change."