Secret election video defended

Amanda Platell: 'Fiercely loyal' to William Hague

Former Tory press secretary, Amanda Platell, has denied "betraying" the party over a secret video diary in which she claims their election campaign was undermined by supporters of Michael Portillo.

The allegations could damage the shadow chancellor's bid for the leadership ahead of the final round of voting among MPs on Tuesday.

This is a film about William Hague... it is not a film about Michael Portillo

Amanda Platell

Speaking to BBC One's Breakfast With Frost programme in her first broadcast interview about her video diary, Ms Platell said: "I haven't betrayed any confidences in this film."

Mr Portillo and his team have said he fully supported Mr Hague during the election campaign and deny the film's claims.

His attempts to keep his leadership campaign on track suffered from another distraction when he received the reported backing of former prime minister Lady Thatcher only for her to later deny it.

Portillo's people accused

In the programme to be screened on Channel 4 on Sunday evening Ms Platell accuses "Portillo's people" of briefing against the Tory leader and of trying to undermine him.

Ms Platell said she had been "fiercely loyal" to Mr Hague and the party.

But she went on: "There's an old saying that loyalty was the secret weapon of the Conservative Party. Well, I'm afraid that in the last two-and-a-half years I've discovered that they've lost that weapon."

Asked whether "treachery" was too strong a word she replied: "It's very important that you see (the film) in context, it's very very important that you see what I was told people were doing during the election which was working against the campaign."

Iain Duncan Smith: Right-wing contender

Mr Portillo's supporters immediately sought to extinguish the row sparked by the film, with former minister Steve Norris saying: "I don't believe a word of it."

Those close to William Hague, Mr Norris went on, reported no evidence of the plotting alleged in the film "that Amanda is obviously going to make some money out of".

The controversy could help Mr Portillo's rival for the leadership, shadow defence secretary Iain Duncan Smith who is now widely seen as the front runner.

But he suffered a potential setback after being reportedly dismissed as too inexperienced by former prime minister John Major and predecessor Lady Thatcher.

Thatcher denial

She later denied the newspaper claims, saying it was up to the party to decide.

"I like all three," she said.

Mr Duncan Smith, speaking on GMTV, argued his lack of ministerial experience should not count against him since Tony Blair had been elected prime minister in 1997 in exactly the same state.

"We're now told by some in my party that we should learn from Tony Blair. Well, that's what I'm doing.

"My point is that what Tony Blair taught us is that you have to break free occasionally from the mistakes of the past."

Ration book attack

Mr Duncan Smith attacked what he called the government's "ration book state" and pledged to offer the electorate more freedom in their choice of schools and public services.

Ken Clarke, the third candidate hoping to survive Tuesday's vote and go forward to the wider party membership ballot, has received a boost with backing from shadow home secretary Ann Widdecombe.

She told Breakfast with Frost the Tories had to "grow up", especially on Europe, and back the man most likely to lead them to election victory.

The 166 Tory MPs will choose which two challengers will go before all 300,000 Tory members, with the victor named on 12 September.

It is widely believed Mr Portillo will struggle to win more than a few votes from the 35 MPs who backed David Davis - who withdrew after Thursday's re-run first round - or Michael Ancram, who was knocked out.