Howard seeks to lead Tories from centre

MICHAEL HOWARD last night laid claim to the Tory leadership, saying he wanted to lead the party from its centre and appeal to all its talents and all of Britain.

Mr Howard, after finally confirming his candidacy following the ousting of Iain Duncan Smith, disclosed he was going into talks with Kenneth Clarke the one remaining Tory "big hitter" who has yet to yield to what Mr Howard's supporters hope is an unstoppable momentum driving him unopposed to the post of party leader.

The shadow chancellor chose London's Saatchi art gallery to make his announcement, saying: "I am announcing today that I am a candidate for the leadership of the Conservative Party.