If Jennifer Smith fights off a PLP leadership challenger tonight, her opponents may cry foul over alleged irregularities with delegate selection.

One party insider told this paper last week that ordinary members were shut out of delegate selection meetings allowing pro-Smith supporters to be handpicked by party bosses.

The source alleged that many St. George's members didn't find out about the delegate selection meeting until too late, while in Warwick party brass claimed a venue couldn't be found to consult members.

The same tactic was used in Southampton said the source, who also voiced suspicions about the process in Devonshire.

And PLP Secretary General Neville Tyrell said branch bosses didn't have to consult the rank and file under the party's constitution -- he said it was optional.

However last night former PLP Secretary General Walter Roban challenged the source to stand up and make an official complaint.

He said: "Anybody can say this -- I think they are lying.'' "I can assure you from my experience it's difficult if at all possible for someone on high to influence who gets to be branch delegates.

"That's the choice the branch makes on who wants to stand.

"I have not ever seen a case where there has been any manipulation by the central executive -- the branch will send delegates to conference.

"They can choose them the way they want to choose them.'' He said branches always gave their members the chance to participate in the selecting of the delegates.

Mr. Roban added: "I would like to see the case where the branch didn't contact the membership to say that.

"If people have a complaint they should raise it with the executive to be addressed. From what I have seen they are fully able to choose the delegate.

"I can't see if there is any list of cooked up delegates - if there is prove it.'' However the senior PLP source told The Royal Gazette that people who stood up would merely be targeted while their complaints were ignored.

He said: "The Central Committee is 100 percent neutered and incompetent.'' He said a complaint would merely led to a meaningless report being compiled months later.

"They don't want to find out -- they just want to point out the people who say these things.

"The deck was stacked clearly. What they are saying is step forward so we can deal with you.''