A Tory MP has vowed to put her political career on the line to support a veteran colleague who has been deselected by his local party.

Nadine Dorries, MP for Mid Bedfordshire, said she would campaign for Sir Patrick Cormack if he decided to stand as an independent at the next general election.

The former adviser to Tory policy chief Oliver Letwin, wrote on her blog that she would back him "without hesitation and regardless of what ‘you will never be given a job’ threats will be thrown at me by the whips".

Sir Patrick, one of the longest-serving and most respected MPs in the Commons, failed to get readopted as candidate for South Staffordshire at a meeting of the constituency executive earlier this week.

It was a particular shock since Sir Patrick, 67 and an MP since 1970, had the biggest swing to the Conservatives - 9.4% - at the last General Election. He has the opportunity of seeking the endorsement of the entire constituency membership, of some 500 people. But he has been telling friends that he will stand at the next election in this constituency come what may.

MPs who have been rejected by their constituency parties have been known to stand as Independents.

Sir Patrick has a big personal following in South Staffordshire, and local Tories believe he could well beat an official Conservative candidate if that situation arose.

Ms Dorries wrote on her personal website that she was disgusted at the treatment of her colleague who was "a great man, a funny man, a clever and knowledgeable man" and - alongside George Galloway - one of the few "great orators" in the Commons.

"South Staffordshire Conservatives should be ashamed of themselves. I am disgusted.

"Sir Patrick has said that he will stand next time as an independent, and if he does, I would help him and canvass for him against the selected Conservative candidate, without hesitation and regardless of what ‘you will never be given a job’ threats will be thrown at me by the whips."

>> Sir Patrick: I'll fight on