Widdecombe Row Continues
The former prisons minister, Anne Widdecombe, has said she remains determined to press Michael Howard over his sacking of Derek Lewis as head of the prison service two years ago.
A public row erupted between Miss Widdecombe and Mr Howard yesterday, when she accused supporters of the former Home Secretary of planting claims that she'd been wooed by by Mr Lewis with flowers and
chocolates.
Mr Howard has denied the allegations and defended his challenge for the Tory leadership.
With Parliament returning this morning following the election, Miss Widdecombe is expected to seek an early opportunity to raise her grievances against Mr Howard on the floor of the House.
In her most outspoken comments yet, Miss Widdecombe complained of the brutal way in which Mr Howard had conducted the dismissal.
She came close to accusing Mr Howard, who she said she found "disturbing and unpleasant," of outright lies, claiming that some of the statements he had made at the time were "not sustainable".
She said she had been so disgusted with what had happened that she had seriously considered resigning.
Mr Howard robustly denied the charges, insisting that in government tough decisions had to be taken. He also dismissed suggestions that his supporters had been responsible for planting claims about Mr Lewis "wooing" Miss Widdecombe.
It was unclear how much damage had been sustained by Mr Howard's leadership hopes as a result of Miss Widdecombe's attacks.
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Lewis: Criticism of Howard
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Howard "Flawed"
The former prison service director Derek Lewis added to the controversy by branding Mr Howard a flawed politician concerned excessively with his own career.
He added that he thought his sacking was prompted by Mr Howard's concern about his own position at the time. " The principal reason for the decision he took was his own political security" said Mr Lewis
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