Tory divisions resurface after snap reshuffle

Bitter Tory divisions resurfaced today as Damian Green accused Michael Howard of "wilfully" trying to divide the party.

Mr Green, the main casualty of last week's reshuffle, said the Conservative leader's shift to the Right had damaged the party's election chances.

Mr Howard has faced a backlash after his frontbench shake-up saw the departure of Mr Green and two other modernisers, Julie Kirkbride and John Bercow. He brought back Eurosceptic John Redwood and promoted Right-winger Alan Duncan.

But Mr Green said the changes risked shattering hard-won Conservative unity.

"Just at the time when Labour disunity has never been greater, this reshuffle seems to be wilfully risking the unity of the Party in that it appears to tilt all one way," he told the Daily Telegraph.

"I am bemused that anyone can think that this is a sensible strategy at this stage."

Mr Green is not alone in voicing doubts. Mr Bercow had a furious row with Mr Howard after he was sacked.