The Tories are to hold a ballot of MPs to choose a Conservative representative for the Convention on the Future of Europe.

The party's decision to hold a vote is a setback for the government which had hoped that John Maples - the foreign affairs select committee's choice and a "constructive critic" of the EU - would be appointed to the convention.

The leading Conservative eurosceptic David Heathcoat-Amory is now considered the frontrunner although the pro-European Sir Patrick Cormack has also entered the race.

The former health minister, Gisela Stuart, is the other parliamentary appointee.