THE Devon GP selected as a Tory candidate for not being a professional politician last night dismissed rumours she plans to continue her medical practice if elected.

Dr Sarah Wollaston is furious about suggestions that she would be a "part-time MP" for the Totnes seat, vacated by Conservative grandee Anthony Steen in the wake of the expenses scandal.

A war of words has erupted with other parties, with the Liberal Democrats rejecting claims they are behind the rumour.

However, if Dr Wollaston did continue with a second job she would be in good company.

Torridge and West Devon Tory MP Geoffrey Cox is a practising barrister while East Devon Conservative Hugo Swire holds company directorships.

Dr Wollaston was selected to stand for the Conservative Party in Totnes in the first ever open poll of its kind, with every voter in the seat able to vote on choosing the candidate.

She defeated Torbay Mayor Nick Bye and the leader of East Devon council, Sara Randall Johnson, in a result widely seen as a rejection of career politicians in favour of someone with experience of the outside world.

Hitting out at suggestions she would sit in the Commons part-time, Dr Wollaston said: "This is something I am constantly being told. It leads people to be very suspicious of any MP who they see as not taking the job seriously."

She is particularly annoyed because she and her supporters planned to run a "positive" campaign.

Liberal Democrat prospective candidate Julian Brazil rejected any claims his party's canvassers were spreading the rumours.

"That's not my style," he said.