Party delegates must pay despite conference cut

The two main hotels involved in this month's political party conferences are expecting delegates to pay for their original bookings - even though both events were cut short following the New York terrorist attacks.

The 334-bedroom Hilton Brighton Metropole, which this week has been the headquarters hotel for the Labour Party conference in Brighton, said guests cutting short their stays would be subject to the hotel's usual rules and conditions.

Most delegates were due to arrive on Sunday and had originally been expected to stay until this afternoon (Thursday), but following Prime Minister Tony Blair's decision to recall Parliament early, the conference was due to finish yesterday (Wednesday).

Metropole general manager Andrew Swindells said the whole hotel had been booked for the conference two years in advance and the accommodation was already paid for.

The 181-bedroom Imperial hotel in Blackpool, which is the headquarters for the Conservative Party during its annual conference next week, is likely to be less affected by the decision to axe Thursday's proceedings.

General manager Mark Edwards thought most delegates would stay until Thursday as an event was being held on Wednesday evening.