Portillo blasts 'worst ever' Tory conference

The Tory conference has been criticised for being the worst in memory by former leadership contender Michael Portillo, it was reported today.

Describing the mood of the conference, Mr Portillo told the BBC: "Horrible, dejected, miserable, talking about the leadership all the time - it was the worst conference anyone could remember."

Despite the dejected mood at the Blackpool meeting, Mr Portillo told the BBC he did not think Iain Duncan Smith would be replaced and said he did not want the job.

Mr Portillo, who was a Cabinet minister under John Major, said some party members had tried to blame "modernisers" for plotting against Mr Duncan Smith but that later in the week it was hard to find anyone not in on a plot, the BBC reported.

Mr Portillo's comments come after a defiant Mr Duncan Smith told critics to "get out of my way" in a crucial speech aimed at seeing off the plot to oust him.

The Tory leader fought back in his closing conference speech, saying: "My mission is to take the Conservative Party back to government.

"I won't allow anything or anyone to get in my way."

His performance went down a storm inside the Winter Gardens hall and MPs queued up outside to profess loyalty.

However, doubts remained over whether Mr Duncan Smith has done enough to save his job when MPs return to Westminster next week.

Speculation about his future was intensified by rumours that up to 15 of the 25 MPs needed to trigger a vote of confidence had contacted Sir Michael Spicer, chair of the 1922 backbench committee.

Others are apparently set to decide whether to strike over the next two weeks.

Senior MP John Maples was being hauled before the chief whip David Maclean after being named as the organiser of an attempted coup.

Former Treasury minister Mr Maples has been accused of canvassing support for a ballot on Mr Duncan Smith's future during the conference.

Others could also be called in but none will lose the party whip.

Mr Maclean yesterday taunted the rebels, challenging them to go to Sir Michael Spicer if they thought there was enough of them to mount a challenge.

"My message is simply this: on Monday go to Michael Spicer with your 25 letters and we can lance the boil that way.

"But since there are only half a dozen of you and you have run out of steam, decide whether you want to be a hard-working Conservative MP rowing in the boat or, if not, ship out," he told the BBC Radio 4 PM programme.