Senior Conservative David Davis has insisted he will never challenge Iain Duncan Smith for the Tory leadership amid reports he was preparing a campaign.

Mr Davis dismissed reports in London's Evening Standard that he was preparing to run for the leadership is there was a challenge after the May local elections.

The article suggested Mr Davis, Tory shadow to John Prescott, believed Mr Duncan Smith risked leading the party "over the cliff" at the next general election.

Mr Davis reacted by issuing a statement praising the Tory leader for doing a "first rate job".

'Focus on Labour'

He said: "I have made it clear before that under no circumstances will I mount a challenge to Iain Duncan Smith.

"I believe that he is doing a first-rate job in leading the Conservative Party.

"I firmly believe that Iain will lead the party into the next General Election and that he will win it.

David Davis is publicly pledging his loyalty

"Every Conservative MP should focus their energies on supporting Iain and the shadow cabinet in our joint mission to hold Tony Blair to account and to secure an election victory."

Mr Davis was one of the candidates knocked out during the early rounds of the 2001 Tory leadership election.

Seen as part of the party's traditionalist right-wing, he proved popular among Tory grass roots activists.

But former Chancellor Ken Clarke has been seen as having more support among MPs.

'Missing the spot'

The Evening Standard quoted a friend of Mr Davis criticising Mr Duncan Smith's performance at the helm.

"When Iain wasn't missing any targets, there was no intention of taking this step," said the friend.

"But since last September, Iain hasn't hit any targets. We just look mesmerised by the government.

"In these circumstances, David feels he has a duty to signal that he would like to lead the party if the local elections show that we are still not making headway."