New Tory leader Michael Howard's plans to appoint a broad-based shadow cabinet were dealt a blow today as Michael Portillo rejected his offer of a job and announced he would leave Parliament at the next election.
Mr Portillo's decision to quit politics stunned Westminster, surprising even his closest allies, who were not informed in advance of his announcement.
It came as Mr Howard worked on the construction of a shadow cabinet to reposition the Tories closer to the mainstream of politics and bring on board representatives of all wings of the party.
He was deprived of the services of another senior figure on the centre-left when former Chancellor Kenneth Clarke confirmed this morning he would not accept a shadowcabinet role.
Mr Portillo (50), said that dwindling enthusiasm for the "cut and thrust" of parliamentary politics and a growing interest in work in the media and arts were behind his decision to stand down.
He said Mr Howard had been "surprised" by his decision and tried to persuade him to change his mind.
But he declined to say which shadow cabinet post the new leader had offered him and insisted his refusal to serve him was not intended as a "snub".
In a statement, Mr Portillo said: "I have been considering my future for some time and I have decided that it should lie outside the House of Commons.
PA