Ken Clarke 'is most rebellious Tory MP'

KEN CLARKE'S hopes of a return to the shadow cabinet were dealt a blow today by a study showing he is the most rebellious Tory MP.

Since David Cameron took over as Tory leader at the end of 2005, former chancellor Mr Clarke has voted against the party whip the most.

He rebelled 33 times, mainly over the new EU Treaty. In second place in the revolts' league table of Tory MPs was Bob Spink, who has now joined Ukip after voting against Mr Cameron 23 times.

Shipley MP Philip Davies is third on 18, followed by Christopher Chope on 16, and Philip Hollobone, Richard Shepherd and Ann Widdecombe, all on 14.

Mr Cameron is said to be considering bringing back Mr Clarke, possibly to take on Lord Mandelson on the business portfolio. But senior Tories have warned that the former cabinet minister would be a divisive figure.

The research was carried out by Professor Philip Cowley at Nottingham University. Overall, Conservative MPs had revolted less than their Labour colleagues in recent years, he said.