Politics: Tory `divisions' exposed by former Redwood aide

WILLIAM HAGUE's supporters last night shrugged off embarrassing claims made by a former aide to John Redwood as the allegations of a "bitter man", writes Colin Brown.

The claims were dismissed as "not worthy of comment" by Mr Hague's allies, but they are likely to embarrass some of the key players in the Shadow Cabinet. The book, Guilty Men, by Howell James, a former aide to John Redwood, describe strained relations with another right-wing Euro-sceptic, Iain Duncan Smith, shadow Secretary of State for Social Security. Mr Redwood himself is alleged to have remarked that the Tory party chose "the worst of all six candidates" when it elected Mr Hague as leader.

Mr Hague's supporters said Mr Williams was "bitter" after Mr Redwood joined the Shadow Cabinet as trade and industry spokesman.