New Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith revealed the bulk of his shadow cabinet yesterday, with aides insisting it represented "a broad spectrum" of the party.
Only three front line posts remained unfilled after the announcements, because, according to officials, the MPs concerned could not be contacted.
Former Tory chairman and leadership contender Michael Ancram was confirmed not only as shadow foreign secretary but also as deputy leader.
The front bench reshuffle saw 12 ex-shadow cabinet members deprived of jobs, some of whom had already said they wanted to quit.
Party officials insisted the new team would heal any rifts opened by the leadership contest, because it contained supporters of several other candidates. But posts for high profile backers of Mr Duncan Smith's rival, Kenneth Clarke, were few and far between
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