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Tory probe could save MP Cormack MP Cormack saved by invalid vote
(about 3 hours later)
A long-serving Tory MP dumped by his constituency party may have been the victim of foul play, it has emerged. The vote which would have ousted veteran Tory MP Sir Patrick Cormack has been declared null and void.
Sir Patrick Cormack failed to be readopted by his local party in South Staffordshire at a meeting last Monday. David Billson, chairman of Staffs South Conservatives, said there had been a "clerical error" and a fresh vote would be held in the next two or three weeks.
But Conservative central office has ordered a local investigation into alleged "irregularities" in the voting. It follows claims there were more votes cast than people present at a meeting last week to decide the MP's future.
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, who was facing deselection after 33 years, described the development as "extraordinary".
Sir Patrick claimed last Monday's vote was "extremely close", with 14 of the "29 or 30 people" present backing him. Last Monday's vote went against Sir Patrick by a narrow margin but the voting figures remained secret even from the MP himself.
But if it is proven there were irregularities in the voting the meeting could be declared "null and void," removing the threat of deselection. He said a party investigation had "established that the attendance record did not appear to reflect an accurate record of those entitled to vote and it has also revealed that more ballot papers were cast than people present".
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." Party chairman Francis Maude had written to Mr Billson saying it was "necessary" to declare the vote invalid, as it could potentially be challenged in court, he added.
Sir Patrick achieved the biggest swing to the Conservatives - 9.4% - at the last election. Sir Patrick, who said he hoped the situation could be resolved "amicably," 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. But some members of his constituency association are thought to want a younger candidate to fight the next general election.
They are also unhappy that Sir Patrick did not feature the word "Conservative" prominently in his election literature. They are also thought to be unhappy that Sir Patrick did not feature the word "Conservative" prominently in his election literature.