Politics: And where is Winchester's missing candidate?

As nominations close today for the Winchester by-election, the candidates are hoping to solve a mystery: where is John Browne?

The former MP for the city, who announced his retirement in 1990 and then stood as an independent in the next two general elections, has a habit of arriving with his nomination papers at the eleventh hour.

So far, no one has seen him as preparations have progressed for a re- run of 1 May, ordered by the high court after a declared two-vote victory by Mark Oaten, a Liberal Democrat, was challenged by the ousted Conservative, Gerry Malone.

In May, Mr Browne gave his address as Boynton Beach, Florida. When The Independent rang yesterday the phone was answered by a man with an American accent who said his name was John Browne but claimed to know nothing about the by-election.

Robin Page, the Referendum/UK Independence Party Alliance candidate, could be affected, as Mr Browne stood as an Anti-Federal Europe candidate in May. - Fran Abrams, Political Correspondent