A HAMPSHIRE MP who secured a new role has been kicked out of the Tory party.
Dr Julian Lewis is no longer sitting as a Conservative in parliament.
It comes after he beat the government's nominee for the top job - Chris Grayling.
They were competing as chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC).
However, Lewis who has been the MP for New Forest East since 1997 has now had the party whip removed.
He will remain an MP but now becomes an independent and not aligned to any party.
Mr Grayling was expected to get the job of ISC chair which involves scrutinising the UK's intelligence agencies.
But lost out in a vote by other committee members on Wednesday.
The Tory party enjoys a majority for the first time in recent history with Number 10 reportedly relying on other members to back their candidate.
Dr Lewis put himself up for the job and won with the remaining votes from Labour and the Scottish National Party.
The role is said to be controversial as one of the chair's first tasks will be to publish the Russian meddling with the election.
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