William Hague and Baroness Thatcher have both given their support to Iain Duncan Smith's bid to become the next Tory leader, the Times reports today.

Both are said to be considering issuing public endorsements of Duncan Smith within the next fortnight after ballot papers are issued to the party's 300,000 members.

A close ally of Hague is reported to have told the paper that he believes Clarke would be a "disaster" because his pro-euro views were certain to split the party.

Baroness Thatcher is said to have held private meetings last month with Duncan Smith, whose euro-sceptic views mirror her own. Her spokesman said yesterday that "she may well say something abut the leadership in the next few days".

Michael Heseltine entered the fray yesterday when he said that Clarke was the man to the unite the Tories.

John Major is also expected to make public his views - which are likely to include an endorsement of Clarke.