Major looks safe from challenge

PATRICIA WYNN DAVIES

Political Correspondent

John Major's position as Conservative Party leader will not come under further threat this side of a general election, an influential committee of Tory MPs decided last night.

Sir Marcus Fox, chairman of the 1922 Committee of backbenchers and a staunch John Major loyalist, said the committee had agreed the present rules, "as they affect a possible challenge to the leader of the party are suspended until after the next general election".

Sir Marcus confirmed that a review of the rules was taking place.

The move removes the threat of another bruising leadership battle for the Prime Minister before his target date of a 1977 election after beating off the challenge from Euro-sceptic John Redwood last July.

While all members of the 18-strong, predominantly right-wing 1922 executive were prepared to put the rules on hold, there were signs some might have been bounced in to it. There was said to have been no advance circulation of the motion, nor was there a vote.

Last night's decision signals the end of months of damaging speculation in the run-up to the autumn. There remains a theoretical possibility some senior MPs will call for Mr Major's head after the widely expected disastrous results in the May local elections. But that would require Mr Major to step aside voluntarily, which few believe he would be prepared to do.

A number of Tory MPs, including Douglas Hurd, the former foreign secretary, believe there should be no challenge to a sitting Prime Minister during the course of a parliament.