Former senior Tory meets watchdog

Duncan Smith promises to consign "cowards" to the shadows

A former senior Tory official has given evidence to the inquiry investigating allegations about the employment of Iain Duncan Smith's wife.

Mark MacGregor was sacked from his post as chief executive at Conservative Central Office earlier this year.

Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Sir Philip Mawer is examining suggestions that Betsy Duncan Smith did not do enough work to justify the salary she was paid as her husband's diary secretary.

The Conservative leader strongly denies any wrongdoing.

These cowards have gone after my wife as a way of getting to me and I think it's intolerable Iain Duncan Smith Analysis: IDS talks tough

On his way to see Sir Philip on Monday, Mr MacGregor said: "I'm looking forward to speaking to Sir Philip today, and that's all I'm going to say."

The watchdog launched an inquiry last week after investigative journalist Michael Crick raised questions about whether Betsy Duncan Smith did enough work to justify her salary.

It is understood Vanessa Gearson, who raised concerns about the issue in a leaked internal e-mail, sent her evidence to the watchdog on Friday morning.

Dr Gearson, the deputy director of Conservative Central Office and a Tory prospective candidate, met Sir Philip in Westminster on Friday afternoon to discuss her evidence with him.

She has made clear she will "tell the truth ... no matter what the cost".

Confidence vote call

A leadership challenge to Mr Duncan Smith is unlikely while the inquiry continues.

But Sir Patrick Cormack, a member of the executive of the 1922 Committee representing Tory backbenchers, has said Mr Duncan Smith should call a vote of confidence in his leadership.

"The fact of the matter is there are those from the shadow cabinet down who are not happy with what is going on at the moment," he said, speaking about concerns aside from the financial claims.

Other members of the 1922 executive have confirmed to BBC Radio 4's World At One that they had actively discussed the confidence vote idea - without voting on it.

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One executive member told the programme it was a good idea, while another anonymous member said opinion was split 50-50 on the issue.

The committee has apparently decided against the idea, wanting to stick strictly to the rules over a leadership contest.

Under those rules, 25 MPs can trigger a confidence vote by writing to 1922 Committee chairman Sir Michael Spicer.

Mr Duncan Smith has criticised "cowards in the shadows" inside his party for trying to attack him through his wife.

His wife was paid through House of Commons funds for her work in his private office, but the Tory leader says she worked for him legitimately over 10 years.

He insists he will be cleared by the inquiry and has already submitted evidence which he says refutes the claims against him.

He said plotting against him began as soon as he became leader.