Ken Clarke denies leadership plot

Kenneth Clarke blew his top today at claims he was secretly preparing to stand for the Tory leadership.

In a furious temper, the former Chancellor was seen leaving the Commons to buy a copy of The Times, which carried the headline "Clarke to throw his hat in the ring".

He hit it with his fist, angrily repeating: "Complete rubbish." Mr Clarke added as he queued to pay: "I haven't spoken to anyone about this or said anything at all on the subject. I don't think there will be a leadership challenge."

The newspaper claimed he had promised supporters he would stand and moderate his pro-Euro stance to woo votes.

The latest twist in the Tory drama came amid an unprecedented rebellion amont Tory whips against Iain Duncan Smith's refusal to face a leadership vote.

The Evening Standard has learned that chief whip David Maclean and his deputy Patrick McLoughlin met the Tory leader on Wednesday and urged him to "lance the boil" by calling a confidence vote.

Two further Tory donors today said they would stop bankrolling the party. Reading FC chairman John Madejski called for a confidence vote and Sir Tim Cowie, founder of Arriva, was quoted as saying the Tory leader lacked the ability to beat Tony Blair.