Sir Patrick Cormack, the MP threatened with the sack after party activists apparently decided he was too old, has been saved following the intervention of the party leadership.
Conservative Chairman Francis Maude wrote to South Staffordshire Conservative Association overturning the decision. He said there had been irregularities in a meeting of the constituency's executive committee, which voted not to re-select Sir Patrick as the Tory candidate.
The vote had threatened to end the MP's career after 37 years in the Commons. But Sir Patrick, aged 67, vowed to stand again in South Staffordshire come what may – raising the prospect he could stand as an independent.
Colleagues rallied to Sir Patrick's side after he revealed two members of the executive committee had admitted voting against him because of his age. The MP was also criticised for not giving the Conservative Party enough prominence on his campaign literature.
And there were reports he dismayed party activists by telling them he hoped to become Speaker of the House of Commons.
Now Mr Maude has written to the local party warning that the vote must be re-run. He said the attendance register did not appear to reflect an accurate record of those entitled to vote. It has also emerged that more ballot papers were cast than people were present.
The decision does not mean Sir Patrick is guaranteed to win reselection when the vote is held again, but the level of support he has received in recent days will have strengthened his position.
Fellow Staffordshire MP Michael Fabricant (Con Lichfield) urged party activists to "see sense" and re-select Sir Patrick.
Sir Patrick said: "I am extremely grateful to those members of the executive council who drew these matters to the attention of the Party Chairman, just as I am grateful for the overwhelming support I have received from constituents and colleagues in Parliament over this last difficult two weeks."
