IDS wins rival's backing

Iain Duncan Smith was today given a public pledge of support by the man tipped as his most likely replacement as Tory leader.

David Davis, dramatically axed as Tory chairman in a botched summer reshuffle, said he would never challenge Mr Duncan Smith for the top job, and described him as a "good friend".

The pledge by Mr Davis, now shadow local government minister, left open the possibility he could go for the leadership if Mr Duncan Smith resigned or was eliminated at an early stage in the contest.

It came as Mr Davis was asked why there seemed to be " mutterings" about Mr Duncan Smith's Tory stewardship, on BBC1's Question Time. He said: "Few things make me more annoyed than the mutterings. I can't quite think what some of my colleagues have been doing with that.

"Iain has a really difficult job to deliver on ... but he will deliver. It will take time, but he will do it."

Asked whether he would ever stand against Mr Duncan Smith for the party leadership, Mr Davis said: "I think this is the 10th time I have been asked this question over the summer. The answer is always the same - no."