ROGER Miller, the chairman of the North Wiltshire Conservative Association, says he has been fielding phone calls about Mr Gray's future as North Wiltshire MP since last week.

Mr Miller, is responsible for gathering the views of members.

The 64-year-old married father-of-three of Sopworth Manor, Chippenham, said: "We have had numerous queries over his reselection but it will take some time to decide how to respond."

The very public end to Mr Gray's marriage has sparked mixed reactions from politicians - but no calls for his resignation.

Most are unified in their sympathy for the MP's wife Sarah, who is dealing with the split following a difficult battle with breast cancer.

John Ireland, a Conserva-tive councillor for Lickhill ward in Calne, does not think the adultery is an isolated problem.

The 59-year-old, who has been married for 38 years, said: "I feel terribly sorry for Sarah and am not a great lover of people who do this sort of thing to their wife.

"There are probably lots of others but Mr Gray has been caught."

Asked whether he thought Mr Gray should resign, he said: "It is up to his constituents to decide."

His view was echoed by Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, the Conservative parliamentary candidate for the new Chippenham constituency.

He said: "The people will judge him on the work he does but in this day and age what he has done is not enough to force him to resign.

"James has a very good reputation in his constituency and I share the sentiments of sympathy expressed by others for his wife."

Mr Miller held an executive council meeting on Thursday but he said the subject of Mr Gray's affair did not come up.

He said: "We discussed the administration of the new Wiltshire constituencies and the consequences that may occur as a result.

"It was too early to talk about the marriage break-up but it is my job to get the views and reactions of the members over the next few weeks."

Conservative district councillor Toby Sturgis, a 59-year-old farmer and former chartered surveyor from Great Somerford, believes Mr Gray should be allowed to get on with his job.

The Brook Farm resident, who has three children and is divorced, said: "What happens in a person's private life should remain private.

"The constituents elected James Gray, not Mr and Mrs Gray. While this is not the sort of thing I support it is nonetheless a private matter and therefore not that important."

North Wiltshire District Council leader Carol O'Gorman said: "I have huge sympathy for his wife and children and I believe family life is very important within our society today.

"My priority is the residents of North Wiltshire and in James Gray being elected to represent those people, I would expect his priorities to be the same as mine.''