Sir Malcolm Rifkind has begun his return to frontline politics by refusing to rule out a Conservative leadership bid.

As predicted, the former foreign secretary was selected last night as the Conservative candidate for Kensington and Chelsea at the next general election.

He beat 220 prospective candidates, including Nick Hurd, the son of his predecessor Lord Douglas Hurd, for the nomination for the safe Tory seat.

During his selection interview with broadcaster Andrew Neil in front of party members at Kensington Town Hall, Rifkind said he would accept the Tory party leadership if it was offered to him.

"If you’re asking me in some kind of distant future - if anyone were to ask, ‘Would you be prime minister, would you refuse?’ then I don’t suppose anyone would believe us if we said no," he said.

Experience

The local membership was impressed by the man who was once Scottish secretary, transport secretary, defence secretary and foreign secretary.

"He is obviously the most experienced of the lot. He has got the experience to make a serious contribution," said one member.

Rifkind, who lost his Edinburgh Pentlands seat in 1997 and failed to regain it in 2001, follows a line of Conservative MPs to have their political careers restarted by the Kensington and Chelsea Conservatives.

Current Tory MP for the seat Michael Portillo returned to frontline politics to represent the area following the death of former minister and diarist Alan Clark.

Rifkind praised the local members following the result.

"It goes without saying that I am thrilled and delighted and privileged to be selected," he said.

"It’s a marvellous association — there are almost a thousand people here this evening. And I believe it indicates the enthusiasm for seeing the continuing Conservative revival under Michael Howard."