Senior Tories are embroiled in a row over whether to replace shamed MP Neil Parish using an all-women shortlist.
Universities Minister Michelle Donelan branded female shortlists of candidates "demeaning" despite calls for Mr Parish to be succeeded by a female candidate from a senior Conservative woman.
The Tories are braced for a potentially tricky by-election in Tiverton and Honiton triggered by the resignation of Mr Parish, who admitted to watching pornography twice in the Commons.
