Both winners and losers in the first round of the Progressive Labour Party's candidate selection process are crying foul as the musical chairs to secure a winnable seat continues.

One PLP MP claimed the first round was a carefully orchestrated campaign to prevent Premier Ewart Brown's favourites from getting choice spots.

The source said in several cases not all the candidates were told about the branch selection meeting in time, leaving a clear run for those in the know.

Last week it emerged Education Minister Randy Horton had been ousted at the local choice for Southampton West while he was off the Island.

One MP told The Royal Gazette: "The first Randy knew of the meeting was when he was in Trinidad driving to the hotel."

It's understood Mr. Horton is now being linked with St. George's South, which retiring MP Renée Webb held by just eight votes last time.

It's a move which could see local choice Leroy Bean being moved aside with claims other interested candidates have not been informed of his selection meeting.

And several party sources said Walter Roban's selection for the safe seat of Pembroke East had been flawed with Attorney General Phil Perinchief not being told of the vote, despite a letter of interest.

Last week several candidates who had survived the first round complained that the party HQ was gearing up to override local choices at a higher level, leading to claims the party constitution had been flouted.

However, one party source said: "In the absence of a legitimate process the moral weight to a branch choice disappears."

And one MP said the whole thing had been handled really badly. "It's causing a lot of disquiet."

However, some of those who won in the first round have complained there has been no disclosure of opinion polls which are being used to gage the popularity of candidates and justify the dropping of newcomers.

Meanwhile Melvin Dickinson called The Royal Gazette to point out he had withdrawn from last week's vote in Southampton East where House speaker Stanley Lowe won the branch nomination. Dr. Dickinson said he had been interested in the seat when it wasn't clear if Mr. Lowe wanted to carry on.

But once it was known Mr. Lowe wanted to stay, Dr. Dickinson pulled his name. However, he still attracted the support of three branch members.