London - The former Conservative finance minister, Mr Ken Clarke, received a boost yesterday to his campaign to become the next leader of his party as nine leading Tories pledged their support for him.
In an open letter printed in the Daily Telegraph, the nine Conservative members of parliament said they had previously backed Mr Michael Portillo, who had been favourite to win the contest but was knocked out the race on July 17th.
Mr Portillo's unexpected exit left Mr Clarke - seen as a moderate and in favour of British membership of the euro - fighting it out with Mr Ian Duncan Smith, a lesser-known right-leaning eurosceptic.
The MPs said that while many of them disagree with Mr Clarke's position in favour of Britain joining the euro, they think he is the best man for the job. "We now support Kenneth Clarke because we believe that he is the candidate best placed to lead our party to victory and win over the lost Conservative voters," they wrote.
Mr Clarke has said he would allow party members a free vote on the euro if a referendum on British entry were held. The nine said they accepted his assurance.