Affair MP defeats deselection bid

James Gray has represented the constituency since 1997

A Conservative MP who was criticised by his local party executive for having an affair while his wife had cancer has defeated an attempt to deselect him.

James Gray, MP for North Wiltshire, had already survived a secret ballot by party members in January.

A meeting of 300 local Conservatives at Wooton Bassett voted on whether to have a postal ballot on Mr Gray remaining their candidate at the next election.

However, the motion was defeated by a majority of 77.

The 53-year-old MP said he was confident the matter had come to an end after he was told by the Party Chairman, Caroline Spelman, that no more challenges to his position would be allowed.

Mr Gray, a father-of-three, has been MP for North Wiltshire since 1997.