NORTH Wiltshire MP James Gray has vowed to boycott a new political television programme because it will be presented by Edwina Currie.

The flagship current affairs debating forum on HTV, called Currie Night, is launched on Thursday and promises to pit leading politicians against fired-up members of the public.

But senior Tory James Gray, the shadow Front Bench spokesman on the environment and rural affairs, said he would never appear on the same stage as John Major's "low-grade" ex-lover.

He said: "I decided to avoid this show before the Currie expose because I do not like the format or approve of Currie's conduct."

The late night programme is a new format for the West's TV station, which covers Swindon. It aims to hold an Oprah-style debate with leading figures, mainly politicians, surrounded an audience discussing popular issues of the day.

Mr Gray said: "This latest kiss and tell has confirmed my opinion of Edwina Currie. Her behaviour is very low-grade indeed. She should go down in history for wrecking the egg industry, then ruining John Major's private life and retirement."

But Richard Lister, spokesman for HTV, defended the programme and hopes Mr Gray will change his mind having watched it. "We hope the programme will be of considerable interest to the general public. Mr Gray would be most welcome to take part in the future," he said.

Currie Night can be seen on HTV at 11.30pm on Thursday.