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Tories in turmoil after Davis exit, PM claims

13/06/2008

The Conservative party has been exposed as "totally divided" by David Davis' shock resignation, according to the prime minister.

Gordon Brown's comments to journalists come after the shadow home secretary stepped down as an MP, triggering a by-election he intends to contest on the single issue of 42-day terror detention.

Labour, which is yet to confirm whether it will stand against Mr Davis, has roundly condemned the decision.

Speaking on Thursday the home secretary Jacqui Smith said it had left David Cameron's Tories "total disarray".

The party's deputy leader and chair Harriet Harman described Mr Davis' actions as "not necessary... [and] irresponsible"..

"David Cameron is wrong on 42 days. If David Cameron was showing leadership he would be sorting out the Tories’ policy on security," Ms Harman added.

On Friday the Sun newspaper said it was considering standing against Mr Davis, following the Liberal Democrats decision to not put forward a candidate.

Former editor Kelvin Mackenzie said he was "90 per cent certain" he would stand in the Haltemprice and Howden by-election.

Even the British National party (BNP) has said it will not run against Mr Davis, because the party agrees with him on 42-day detention. Ukip has said it will run if Labour does, although Godfrey Bloom, one of its MEPs, has said he will campaign for Mr Davis if asked.

Mr Davis told Radio 4's Today programme his actions were a necessary stand against the gradual encroachment upon civil liberties in Britain.

"We're a party not a regiment and we're in politics hopefully, and virtually in all cases, for reasons of principle," he said.

He said if Labour did not stand a candidate "they're going to show that they're ashamed of their own policies, that they're unwilling to put things like the 42-day policy in front of an impartial audience, rather than ones they can bribe or bully".