Howard's Campaign in Trouble Again

A report in The Times suggests that Charles Wardle, an immigration minister under Mr Howard, is seeking an adjournment debate in which he plans to raise a critical report by the Department of Trade and Industry looking into the take-over of Harrods by Mohammed Al Fayed.

Former Home Office Minister Charles Wardle

Mr Wardle rejected an application for British citizenship by Mr Al Fayed's brother on the advice of civil servants. The decision led to a serious clash between Mr Wardle and Mr Howard and relations have been strained ever since.

However, Mr Wardle moved quickly to distance himself from the reports, dismissing claims that his planned Commons debate had anything to do with the Tory leadership contest. A statement issued by Mr Wardle's office said: "Charles Wardle's concern abouit the inspectors' inquiry into the House of Fraser take-over and other enquiries launched in the mid 1980s long pre-dates any notion of a Conservative leadership contest".

The criticism comes after a difficult weekend for Mr Howard following allegations at the weekend that he was referred to as "dangerous stuff" by his former minister of state at the Home Office, Ann Widdecombe.

Miss Widdecombe and Mr Howard had a strong disagreement over the controversial sacking of Derek Lewis as Director General of the Prison Service in 1995. Miss Widdecombe is expected to outline a series of criticisms relating to Mr Howard's time in charge at the Home Office in a letter to John Major to be published shortly before the first round of voting. It is expected that she will single out Mr Howard's man-management style and what she sees as his refusal to accept the blame for mistakes.

Speaking on the BBC, Mr Howard responded to the criticisms: "Ann felt strongly about that (the sacking of Derek Lewis). We disagreed. I am convinced the decision we made was the right one, and few decisions have been subject to more parliamentary scrutiny - including a debate on the floor of the House of Commons - than that one."

The Home Office was later made to pay compensation of £220,000 to Mr Lewis after he took it to court for wrongful dismissal.

Mr Howard's campaign has not gone to plan from day one. Last week William Hague pulled out of a 'deal' whereby he would stand alongside Mr Howard in a "dream-ticket" pairing. Mr Hague opted instead to stand against Mr Howard and is currently a leading contender. The criticism from Miss Widdecombe and then from Mr Wardle has raised suspicions of among some Conservatives of a "dirty tricks" campaign against Mr Howard. However, one leading Howard aide described Miss Widdecombe's actions as "personally motivated". Miss Widdecombe has declared her support for the former secretary of state for social security Peter Lilley in the leadership contest.