FORMER Welwyn Hatfield MP Melanie Johnson has failed in her latest bid to return to Parliament. Mrs Johnson, who represented the constituency between 1997 and 2005, had been shortlisted as the Labour Party candidate for the Erith and Thamesmead seat.

FORMER Welwyn Hatfield MP Melanie Johnson has failed in her latest bid to return to Parliament.

Mrs Johnson, who represented the constituency between 1997 and 2005, had been shortlisted as the Labour Party candidate for the Erith and Thamesmead seat.

But following a meeting of party members, the 54-year-old lost out on the nomination to local campaigner Teresa Pearce.

A spokesman for the London Labour Party said of Mrs Johnson: "She fought an excellent campaign and came second.

"She did extraordinarily well because she was up against a very well known local campaigner."

The bid is Mrs Johnson's third attempt to return to the Commons since losing her seat to Tory rival Grant Shapps in 2005.