Shadow Home Secretary Ann Widdecombe is set to make a sensational bid for the Tory leadership.

Right-winger Ms Widdecombe - dubbed Doris Karloff - is expected to confirm she'll launch her campaign on Monday.

The Tory heavyweight is poised to battle it out with Michael Portillo and, possibly, Ken Clarke and Iain Duncan Smith in the contest to succeed William Hague.

On Wednesday, the self-styled professional virgin blasted Shadow Chancellor Mr Portillo for surrounding himself with a gang of "back-biters".

Ms Widdecombe also declared she would refuse to serve in a Shadow Cabinet led by the former Defence Secretary.

But ex-Health Secretary Stephen Dorrell today threw his weight behind Mr Portillo in his bid to become Tory leader.

Mr Dorrell, who supported Mr Clarke in the 1997 leadership battle, believes Mr Portillo is the man to rebuild the shattered party after their catastrophic election performance.

He told The Times: "Michael is the change candidate. He is absolutely under no illusion about the gravity of our defeat. It was much worse than 1997."

His comments came after Ken Clarke declared he was ready to take on Mr Portillo in the fight to become the next Tory leader.

The former Chancellor said he'd like to take over as party chief and rule as Prime Minister one day.

But the arch pro-European said he wouldn't be rushed into throwing his hat into the ring.

Mr Clarke, 60, told Sky News: "I am not going to make a decision for 10 days or so. I think we need more discussion within the party. I am going to take more soundings.

"I haven't given up on my ambitions at the end of the day to be Prime Minister. However there needs to be careful thought about whether the party is capable of being led by a pro-European."

Updated: 13.45 Friday, June 15