Davis by-election bid 'not a push for Tory leadership'

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David Davis vowed yesterday never to run again for the leadership of the Conservative Party.

He made the pledge following claims that his decision to force a by-election on the issue of 42-day detention of terror suspects was nothing more than a springboard for a leadership contest.

The famously ambitious MP stood for the chance to run the Tory party in 2001 and 2005. David Cameron's victory in the latter contest is believed to have caused friction between the two.

Mr Davis stood down last week as MP and shadow home secretary and yesterday he admitted it may herald the end of his political career. Dominic Grieve has already replaced him as shadow home secretary.

Mr Davis's only opponents in the by- election may be Miss Great Britain, Gemma Garrett, and Monster Raving Loony Party candidate Mad Cow-Girl.

It emerged yesterday that former Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie is unlikely to stand against him, despite claiming last Friday he was ready to put himself forward with the backing of proprietor Rupert Murdoch.

The Liberal Democrats have not put up a candidate because they agree with Mr Davis's stand against the extension of the time terror suspects can be held without trial to 42 days.

Labour is expected to declare that it will not field a candidate, claiming the by- election is an unnecessary waste of money. Speaking on GMTV, Mr Davis said he believed the erosion of liberties was an important issue on which to make a stand.

He said Mr Cameron had tried to persuade him not to resign. 'He didn't want me to do it,' said Mr Davis. 'It may well be the end of my career.

'I am never going to run for leader of the Tory party again,' he added.

Mr Davis said that if Labour did not put up a candidate, it would be 'extraordinarily gutless'.

'Mr Brown has not helped his reputation by running away from a general election, running away from a referendum on the EU and now running away even from a single by- election. He can't even take me on,' he said.