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Saturday 23 June 2001

Clarke 'disgusted' by sniping in Tory leadership campaign
By Andrew Sparrow, Political Correspondent

KENNETH CLARKE returned home yesterday, adamant that his trip to Vietnam had not damaged his chances in the Tory leadership contest.

The former Chancellor, who is said to be "disgusted" at the way in which the contest has been conducted so far, would not reveal whether he would enter the race himself. But there was intense speculation at Westminster that he would declare his candidacy on Tuesday, in a move that would significantly enliven the two-week old contest.

Mr Clarke's rivals believe that he damaged his chances by spending this week in Vietnam on business and some Tories who had been expected to support him came out for other candidates in his absence. But Mr Clarke insisted: "Anybody who's not supporting me now who would have supported me if I had been around a few days ago is not a very attached supporter of mine.

"I do think the decisions the Conservative Party has got to make are serious, long-term and are going to affect the next four to eight years. So the idea that somehow I had to be here on Wednesday is not an idea I readily accept."

Mr Clarke is said to disapprove strongly of the way rival candidates have been briefing against and sniping at one other since the leadership campaign began. He is also understood to be unhappy about the way some of his own supporters have been releasing information to the media.

Asked if he would become the fifth candidate for the leadership, following Michael Ancram, Michael Portillo, Iain Duncan Smith and David Davis, Mr Clarke told the BBC: "At the rate we are going, there will be an enormous number of candidates." He explained that he had made a decision about whether he should stand, but that he would consult further with friends before announcing his intention next week.

Mr Ancram, the former party chairman, appeared to justify Mr Clarke's misgivings about the conduct of the campaign by taking another swipe at Mr Portillo, the shadow chancellor and clear favourite in the contest. In an interview on Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Ancram said: "I believe I can unite the party in a way others might find more difficult." This was a clear reference to Mr Portillo, who has been condemned as divisive by Tories such as Ann Widdecombe.

However, Mr Portillo's campaign received a boost when Liam Fox, the shadow health secretary, became the 13th member of the shadow cabinet to back him. Dr Fox said: "Ultimately, the Conservative Party needs to look to see who it thinks can win more votes, having had two very punishing electoral defeats, and who can restore us as a major political force in this country."