May lets slip her leadership ambitions

the first female contender for the Tory party leadership emerged today.

Theresa May indicated that she is preparing to stand when Michael Howard steps aside.

The 48-year-old hinted at her ambitions as she criticised plans to reform the way Conservative leaders are chosen.

The shadow secretary of state for family, media and culture stopped just short of declaring her hand, but in a slip of the tongue she gave a strong hint that she is preparing to throw her hat into the ring.

Asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme if she would be a candidate, Ms May replied: "Let's wait and see what happens when the autumn comes and candidates actually declare our... themselves."

Meanwhile, leadership contender David Willetts today stole a march on rivals by getting the 20 names needed to mount a formal campaign.

Under Conservative Party rules, candidates will need the signatures of 20 MPs to be allowed to stand in the contest, which is due to begin formally in October.