North Wiltshire MP James Gray may be forced to endure another deselection ballot.

A special general meeting of the North Wiltshire Conservative Association has been announced for Monday, November 19.

The single item on the agenda is to vote on whether a new postal ballot of members should take place to determine whether Mr Gray should continue to be the prospective parliamentary candidate for the next election.

The ballot would be held within three weeks of the meeting.

Outgoing chairman Roger Miller called the SGM after a petition from 62 members was received on October 29 calling for the vote.

An earlier petition, featuring about 200 names, was withdrawn at the request of party chairman Caroline Spelman in September, due to the threat of an autumn election.

Mr Gray survived a ballot in January, following revelations about his affair, while wife Sarah battled breast cancer.

However, opponents have criticised him over his handling of an overpayment to Mrs Gray.

Parliamentary commissioner for standards Sir Philip Mawer ordered him to pay back about £4,000, erroneously paid to Mrs Gray during her final months of employment as his secretary.

Mr Gray was dealt a blow in September, when a leaked email from Mr Miller revealed he had lost faith in him.

Mr Miller has since informed the executive committee he will be standing down.

A new chairman is set to be appointed at a meeting on Wednesday, November 14.

Mr Gray said he was disappointed his opponents had brought the issue up again, but added he was confident the membership would support him.

"I am happy to go along and to the meeting and answer any questions anybody has on any subject," he said.

"But nothing has changed since January and I hope the membership will give me an even more resounding vote of confidence this time."

Mr Gray said Mrs Spelman had assured him, if he wins, she would not allow any further attempts to unseat him.

He added Mr Miller had carried out some fine work for the association, but had to go in light of the leaked e-mail.

"He has realised his culpability and resigned," he said.

Mr Miller said he would have no comment on his resignation until at least after the meeting next week.