Knives sharpened for Tory leader as confidence vote called

THE political future of Iain Duncan Smith as leader of the conservative party may be decided today when the powerful 1922 Tory backbench committee orders him to face a vote of confidence.

It follows demands of 25 MPs required for such a challenge and it comes in the wake of a particularly damaging anti-Duncan Smith campaign, notably mounted by so-called hidden plotters and highly critical leaks of his abilities to the media.

So by this evening, following the vote of confidence at the committee hearing, either all assembled MPs will vote to reinforce his authority leaving his position unchallenged to fight the next election.