FORMER Tory leader William Hague has revealed that his successor Iain Duncan Smith "begged him to stay after the party's General Election drubbing.

And the Richmond MP has vowed to stand again for his constituency in the next election, ending speculation over his future in politics.

Mr Hague told BBC1's Breakfast With Frost today that Mr Duncan Smith was foremost among those colleagues who wanted him to continue in the role, despite the party's failure to make any significant inroads into Labour's huge Commons majority.

Mr Hague said: "Many colleagues urged me to carry on. Iain Duncan Smith was one of them. He didn't want the job for himself. He was one of my most loyal colleagues and begged me to carry on.

"But I wasn't going to be persuaded on this occasion by Iain or any of the others because I had made up my mind and I think it was right.

Mr Hague praised his successor as "honest, well-informed, intelligent, thoughtful, hard working and right about everything he speaks about.

Mr Hague said: "I think we have chosen the right man and I think he will do very well.

The former Tory leader confirmed that he plans to stay in the House of Commons for a considerable period.

"I will stand again at the next election ... I intend to stand again here in my Richmond, Yorkshire constituency.

Asked if he might be lured into accepting an opposition frontbench post, he responded: "I will take a lot of persuading.