CLAIM and counter claim dogged the battle for the leadership of the Tory party yesterday as the candidates fought among themselves over the future direction of the party.
The fonder chancellor of the exchequer, Mr Kenneth Clarke, sent a warning to the party faithful that it would be "unelectable" if it made a further swing to the right. Meanwhile, supporters of Mr Stephen Dorrell claimed he would win votes in the contest from the former home secretary, Mr Michael Howard, and the former Welsh secretary, Mr William Hague.
In an increasingly bitter campaign, Mr Dorrell's camp dismissed Mr Hague's chances of securing the leadership saying: "He has a great future under whoever is leader." Alluding to Mr Hague's single status, Mr Dorrell's supporters pointed out their man "has a family". "He is a more rounded individual than William."
Mr Dorrell's leadership bid was further boosted by the news that the former minister Mr Peter Luff, and the new Tory MP, Mr Shaun Woodward, would be supporting him. Mr Woodward said he had consulted party members in his constituency before making his decision. "They don't want to come behind people who want to take the party off to the far right," he said.
Earlier, supporters of the leadership bid of the former home secretary, Mr Michael Howard, hit back at what they called a "dirty tricks". This followed confirmation that the former minister, Mr Charles Wardle, was preparing to raise fresh damaging allegations against him.
Mr Wardle's decision could prove damaging to Mr Howard's leadership bid.