Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been slammed as "Stalinist" after he was accused of blocking pro-Boris Johnson candidates from standing as MPs.
Legal action is being considered by a group of "senior and unfairly treated figures" on the right of the party.
It comes after several key figures involved in the campaign to "Bring Back Boris" were barred from standing as a Tory MP.
Chairman of the Conservative Democratic Organisation (CDO) David Campbell-Bannerman has written to the Tory party chair claiming he was banned.
Sunak has allegedly barred pro Boris candidates from starting
PA
Campbell-Bannerman, a former Ukip deputy leader said he was left with 'no other option' but to contact barristers adding he was barred on "the basis I wasn’t nice enough about Rishi Sunak in social media."
In a letter seen by The Telegraph, he said: "I regret though that in the interim, I am consulting with barristers on a legal injunction to pause the selection process for as long as it takes to resolve such selection issues, not just on my behalf, but on behalf of a number of other senior and unfairly treated figures.
"The lawyers say it may need a week if so. I have no desire or enthusiasm to do so, but I feel I have been left by the candidates committee with no other option."
The 63-year-old defected to Ukip in 2004 running twice to become leader of the party, before returning to the Conservative party in 2011.
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CDO Chairman David Campbell Bannerman has come out against Sunak
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It comes as Andrea Jenkyns has also backed calls to "Bring Back Boris". The Tory candidate for Leeds South West and Morley took to X calling for the former Prime Minister's return.
She wrote: "With so many MPs retiring. I think @BorisJohnson should stand in one of these seats. Time to 'Bring Back Boris'.
"We need him to help stop Sir kneel a lot, flip-flopping, anti-Brexit, not knowing 'what a woman is' Starmer and Rayner from getting into power."
Meanwhile, Rishi Sunak has denied claims that the former Brexit negotiator Lord Frost had been told he could not apply for any of the 93 vacant constituencies.
Lord David Frost was reportedly told he cannot apply for any of the 93 vacant constituencies
GB NewsLord Frost has said he is willing to resign from the House of Lords to fight the election.
He welcomed Mr Sunak’s announcement, which will be seen as the Prime Minister effectively ordering CCHQ to overturn the ban.
GB News has approached the Conservatives for a comment regarding Campbell-Bannerman's letter.