ST ALBANS MP Anne Main has survived a bid by party rivals to oust her from her Parliamentary seat.

The under-fire Tory, currently under investigation for allegedly abusing her expenses, came through a vote by Conservative Party members in London Colney in the last few minutes.

The meeting followed allegations that she allowed her daughter to live rent-free in the St Albans flat she claimed as a second home at taxpayers’ expense.

Fears the row would hand her key marginal seat to the Liberal Democrats – given greater weight by the results of recent county elections – saw local party chairman Seema Kenedy, and her deputy, Matt Peck, call for her removal.

After the meeting, which the press and public were barred from attending, members immediately reconvened to discuss Ms Kenedy and Peck's future in the party.

After the meeting, Mrs Main told press crews waiting outside: "I'm truly grateful for all the messages of support that I've had coming in from people who aren't association members but are the voters and representatives of St Albans so I'm just really delighted."