CONSERVATIVE MPs reacted angrily yesterday to the decision of their former colleague, Ms Emma Nicholson, not to resign her seat and force a by election following her defection to the Liberal Democrats last week.
Although Ms Nicholson had said she would be prepared to resign and fight a by election if the electorate requested, a spokesman for the Liberal Democrats said such a move would be against the best interests of her West Devon and Torridge constituency.
Mr Willie Rennie, the Liberal Democrats campaigns officer for Devon and Cornwall, said there had also not been any strong demands for a by election from the constituents. "We have come to the conclusion that we do not need one. It would be against the interests of the constituency to have one," he added.
However, several Tory MPs insisted Miss Nicholson had a "moral obligation" and "duty", to the Conservatives who voted for her, to resign her seat.
Mr Neville Trotter, the MP for Tynemouth, said: "I do not know how she can face her constituents now she has turned her coat without putting it to the electorate. But she has shown such flexibility in her approach to the ethics of politics that it would not surprise me if she was not prepared to do this."
Sir James Spicer, the Tory MP: for Dorset West, said a recent local phone in poll in Ms Nicholson's constituency revealed that 71 per cent wanted her to resign.
"I'am extremely surprised that the Liberal Democrats have back tracked so quickly on an under taking given by their new recruit, Ms Nicholson, that if there was a demand for a by election from within the constituency she would be very happy to fight. She has a duty to so," he added.
The Defence Secretary, Mr Michael Portillo, whose right wing speeches Ms Nicholson had attacked, admitted that more Tory MPs may also defect but stressed that the parity could not be based upon "one sided" views.
Mr Jerry Hayes, a Tory MP who has been tipped as another potential defector, denied the rumours and suggested that Ms Nicholson had left the Conservative Party because she wanted to become an MEP and stood a better chance of being elected representing the Liberal Democrats.
I will not be crossing the floor of the Commons because the Liberal Democrats aren't worth taking seriously and Labour is too right wing and authoritarian. The new Labour klingons... are not a great deal different from the Tory velcroids... what they both have in common is blind pursuit of power - New Labour now, and the new right after defeat when they will rally around John Redwood, Michael Portillo or Imedla Marcos if she is available," be said.
. The President of the European Commission, Mr Jacques Santer, stressed yesterday that monetary union and a single European currency were on track" for the start of 1999 and said that any attempt to delay it would be "unacceptable".
. Baroness Thatcher personally intervened over the RAF's low level bombing raids in the Gulf War, it was disclosed yesterday as a row over the controversial tactics grew. The former prime minister revealed the loss of air crew had deeply upset her and that she voiced her concerns to government ministers.
Her comments for a new BBC series on the 1991 Gulf War came after Gen Sir Peter de la Billiere Britain's Gulf commander, accused the Ministry of Defence of gross interference in the war's tactics, which cost lives.