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| Tory probe could save MP Cormack | Tory probe could save MP Cormack |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A long-serving Tory MP dumped by his constituency party may have been the victim of foul play, it has emerged. | A long-serving Tory MP dumped by his constituency party may have been the victim of foul play, it has emerged. |
| Sir Patrick Cormack failed to be readopted by his local party in South Staffordshire at a meeting last Monday. | Sir Patrick Cormack failed to be readopted by his local party in South Staffordshire at a meeting last Monday. |
| But Conservative central office has ordered a local investigation into alleged "irregularities" in the voting. | But Conservative central office has ordered a local investigation into alleged "irregularities" in the voting. |
| Sir Patrick, an MP since 1970, has vowed to fight for the right to stand again in the constituency, describing the debacle as a "minor setback". | Sir Patrick, an MP since 1970, has vowed to fight for the right to stand again in the constituency, describing the debacle as a "minor setback". |
| Sir Patrick claimed last Monday's vote was "extremely close", with 14 of the "29 or 30 people" present backing him. | Sir Patrick claimed last Monday's vote was "extremely close", with 14 of the "29 or 30 people" present backing him. |
| But if it is proven there were irregularities in the voting the meeting could be declared "null and void," removing the threat of deselection. | But if it is proven there were irregularities in the voting the meeting could be declared "null and void," removing the threat of deselection. |
| A Conservative spokesman told the BBC News Website: "We believe there may have been some irregularities with the votes and we have asked the local association to look into it." | |
| Sir Patrick achieved the biggest swing to the Conservatives - 9.4% - at the last election. | |
| Some members of his constituency association are thought to favour adopting a younger candidate. | Some members of his constituency association are thought to favour adopting a younger candidate. |
| They are also unhappy that Sir Patrick did not feature the word "Conservative" prominently in his election literature. | They are also unhappy that Sir Patrick did not feature the word "Conservative" prominently in his election literature. |