Crispin Blunt, the Tory MP who resigned as shadow energy minister and called for a change in the Conservative leadership, has conceded that Iain Duncan Smith will remain in position until the next general election.

"My colleagues, having been given a cue to review Iain's leadership, have implicitly expressed confidence in him," Blunt said last night.

"I therefore accept that it is the overwhelming view of my fellow Conservative MPs that Iain should lead us into the next general election."