South Dorset prospective Conservative candidate Ed Matts today tried to defend a controversial e-mail on Tory campaigning tactics on Portland's proposed asylum centre.

In the e-mail to Tory colleagues - mistakenly sent also to the Dorset Echo before last night's meeting and reproduced here - Mr Matts outlines his stance and how he wants to highlight the "impression the Government is being underhand".

He also suggests local Tory activists use a "possible red herring to drag the news story on".

Mr Matts says that they could raise the possibility that the borough council's chief executive had been contacted by the Home Office over making preparations for asylum seekers, while admitting to colleagues that there was no evidence to back up the claim.

Political rivals and council chiefs have moved to condemn Mr Matts, with South Dorset MP Jim Knight saying he would pass the e-mail on to Home Secretary David Blunkett.

He said: "Local people clearly see the proposal of a reception centre on Portland as a threat but I'm sad local Conservatives see it is an opportunity. This is the kind of thing which discredits politics and the Conservatives saying what they have about manipulating the media will leave a bad taste in peoples mouths."

Mr Knight added that he was opposed to the proposal for the accommodation block at the former HMS Osprey site and hoped the situation could be resolved quickly.

"I have always tried to conduct business as apolitically as possible and although the Conservatives are very fond of accusing Labour of spinning, this e-mail shows they are as guilty as anyone of doing that," he said.

Mr Matts' e-mail follows a protest rally that he organised at the weekend, when he said he hoped the row would not be used as a political issue.

Angry independent Portland town councillor Sandra McGown, who organised last night's public meeting on the asylum centre issue, said: "This e-mail shows why I am an Independent."

The e-mail draws comparisons between the Portland plan and a recently abandoned scheme in Sittingbourne in Kent.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council chief executive Tom Grainger, who is referred to in the e-mail, declined to comment but said he had not discussed with the Home Office the possibility of the site, earmarked for luxury flats by owners Comer Homes, becoming a centre for up to 750 asylum seekers.

Mr Matts said: "This was an internal communication that shows that I'm an open and honest guy who wants to do the best he can to help the people of Portland.

"That is why I have been keen to find out exactly what concerns they have, that the campaign is community-led and not party political, that I and my colleagues will do all we can to ensure the people of Portland are not ignored.

"I am still worried about this possible red herring. The Government was underhand and secretive in Sittingbourne as they were about to go ahead with the asylum centre without consulting people. We all know they are being very secretive about Portland so we must be on our guard.

"Having spoken to Tom Grainger, I was struck by his professionalism and openness and believed him when he said he had received nothing.

"But in Sittingbourne the Government bound the chief executive to secrecy so he wasn't able to say that the Government had contacted him.

"I will do my utmost to unearth the truth and help the people of Portland and elsewhere whether it means fighting the Government or anywhere else where there is injustice. They need someone to stand up for them."

Transcript of e-mail from Conservative candidate Ed Matts to Tory colleagues:

"Please find attached a draft summary of the 150 forms we have had back so far. Do you know how many we can expect back at the meeting tomorrow? Fifty? It was important on Saturday to give the impression we were just consulting/gathering their concerns.

Tomorrow will be different. We can give an overall impression of people's concerns for a stronger line but the delayed forms will allow us to release later in the week to add to the story.

I. Tomorrow I am keen to show: 1) We are keen to help a community-led campaign based on local needs (I suspect the 'Independent' Sandra (McGown) wants to widen this into other groups around the country).

2) We do not want (really need) to be party political (because the campaign is against the Labour government) but I would like to read out a statement from Oliver Letwin as to the Party's position, if appropriate.

3) A clear way forward for a campaign (drawing on research from our own survey and Sittingbourne/Bicester etc).

4) A possible red herring to drag the news story on. In Sittingbourne, the Home Office wrote to the Council's CEO asking him to check out local agencies but binding him into confidentiality. I have directly asked Tom (Grainger) whether he has received anything. His reply to the contrary is supported by the fact that County's social services nor local police know anything. But doesn't stop us raising this possibility to strengthen the impression the govt is being underhand.

II. I suspect there will be a call for i) a campaign team/organisation with funding/constitution. It would be nice for me to be invited to help/advise but not be a formal part. However, it would be useful to have one or two of us on the 'team'.

ii) ii) A day of action eg blockade. Although it is important to remain 'well in' with the campaign, I am not a great fan of disruptive direct action as it only hurts the innocent ... but we may find it difficult not to take part or sanction.

Thoughts please ... Ed

P.S. Nigel tells me we were on national news reflecting countrywide concerns over asylum seekers.

P.P.S. At all times, we must be extra careful as one out of context quote can steal headlines, divert the issue and do a lot of damage. Remember we need Liberal Democrats not to vote Labour because of nasty Tories!"