David Elliott’s chief of staff has pulled out of Parramatta contest

The Liberal Party’s Parramatta preselection has been called off after one of the candidates withdrew, leaving lawyer Katie Mullins to be endorsed unopposed.

Senior Minister David Elliott’s Chief of Staff has pulled out of the preselection for the seat of Parramatta amid concerns any preselection vote would be tainted by members signed up to the Liberal party with fake emails.

The party’s State Director Chris Stone emailed preselectors on Tuesday morning informing them that Tanya Raffoul had withdrawn from the race.

Ms Raffoul’s withdrawal leaves lawyer Katie Mullins the sole candidate for preselection.

She is expected to be endorsed unopposed.

MP David Elliott ‘s chief of staff

Tanya Raffoul has withdrawn from the preselection race.

A Liberal source was disappointed that Ms Raffoul had withdrawn, saying that she would have been a “better candidate” for Parramatta.

He said the party was at real risk of losing the seat to Labor after the retirement of local member Geoff Lee.

Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee is retiring following theelection. Picture: Gaye Gerard

The Daily Telegraph understands that Ms Raffoul pulled out amid concerns any preselection vote would be unfair.

It comes after six senior party members were expelled from the Liberal party for allegedly trying to stack branches by using fake email addresses.

A NSW Liberal Party spokesman said the members had been expelled after an investigation into an “elaborate and complex system” designed to “circumvent Party rules”.

One of those expelled was involved in the party’s membership in Parramatta.

Ms Raffoul declined to comment when contacted by the Telegraph.