Tory plotters called in to face chief whip

Tory MPs identified as plotting against party leader Iain Duncan Smith are to be summoned to a meeting with Chief Whip David Maclean, it emerged today.

Certain to be called in is John Maples, the former Treasury minister who is reportedly at the centre of the alleged effort to unseat Mr Duncan Smith.

But other MPs "clearly identified" as working against Mr Duncan Smith could also be hauled in to see Mr Maclean next week.

A senior Conservative Party official said Mr Maclean wanted to give the alleged plotters a "career development interview."

Reports have suggested that Mr Maples, the Stratford-on-Avon MP, is trying to find the 25 MPs needed to trigger a leadership contest, and has been discreetly sounding out colleagues during this week's annual conference in Blackpool.

But the Tory source confirmed: "Mr Maples will be called in to explain himself. People clearly identified as plotting against the leadership are going to be hauled in for a career development interview.

"Basically they will be told to get with the programme or find something else to do. The leadership, the shadow cabinet, the frontbench, Central Office and the party are working to secure a Conservative victory, and that's what they should be doing."

The source stressed, however, that Mr Maclean would not be withdrawing the whip from any of those he decides to call in.