The borough’s Labour Group has become embroiled in a sexism row after its selection of election candidates in three wards was declared invalid by the party, because they were all men.

The party’s national policy is that at least one woman is selected to stand in each ward, but members in Hounslow West, Heston Central and Heston East showed “sheer and utter contempt” for the rules by failing to vote in a female candidate, a party insider said.

Hounslow West ward members selected Councillor Jagdish Sharma, leader of the Labour Group, Councillor Ajmer Dhillon, chairman of the central Hounslow area committee and Krishan Bhatia at a meeting on March 26.

Meanwhile in Heston Central, long-standing councillor Peta Vaught was voted out in favour of three men, including former council leader John Chatt.

A source said the London regional party was furious with members’ attempts to “de-rail the mechanisms” of the Labour Party by elbowing women candidates out.

He said: “It’s anti-women, that’s what the situation is – no woman has been allowed near the top safe seats.”

Labour members were left fuming after losing their democratic right to choose candidates for the election in May next year when the regional office stepped in to overturn their decision.

In a further development this week, senior Labour officers wrote to the regional party asking for Mr Chatt to be set aside.

He is believed to have vetted other candidates while standing himself, the source said.

Coun Sharma said ensuring a legitimate candidate selection “is not my area of responsibility”, adding: “I am fully aware of the rules, but because I am a candidate I cannot say anything.”

He said the Local Government Committee (LGC) was responsible for ensuring the election conducting officials, including Mike Hunt, leader of the panel in Hounslow West, along with former council leader Colin Ellor, were aware of the rule, which has been “enshrined” in Labour policy for years.

Councillor Mark Bowen, deputy leader of Hounslow Council, said: “The Labour Party is trying to bring people back, though none of them had a record of success when they were councillors previously.

“These are names of the past, what really matters to most residents in Hounslow is the future.”

A statement issued by the London Labour Party said: "The Labour Party believes in fairness for all, not least in selections of local council candidates.

"That’s why we are taking firm action across the country to achieve a fairer and more representative balance of men and women standing for election under the Labour banner.

"A number of our members in Hounslow have invited London Labour Party to look at local procedures adopted for the selection of candidates in next year’s borough elections.

"Having done so, London Labour Party concluded that present arrangements would be unlikely to increase the number of women councillors.

"After discussions, London Labour Party has agreed to supervise the selections in Hounslow and provide potential women councillors with encouragement and support to ensure they have a fair chance of being selected.

"It is important to note that local branch members will choose their candidates in each ward on a one-member, one-vote basis."