Tories back William Hague and say he'll survive

Published on Friday 3 September 2010 14:22

WILLIAM Hague has won the backing of senior Scottish Tories following speculation about the Foreign Secretary's private life.

Mr Hague had issued a statement denying rumours about an "improper relationship" with a male aide which he said was "utterly false" and insisted that his 13-year marriage was "strong".

The rumours about the Foreign Secretary, who is widely viewed as one of the big Tory beasts in David Cameron's cabinet, are thought to have added to the crises gripping the Prime Minister's administration.

But as Mr Hague was accused of being "naive at best, foolish at worst" by Tory grandee Lord Tebbit, leading Scottish Tories were quick to rush to the defence of the Foreign Secretary.

Sir Albert McQuarrie, a Scottish Tory MP between 1979 and 1987, said he was sure Mr Hague would "survive" the fall-out from the resignation of his special adviser Christopher Myers over what the Foreign Secretary described as "untrue and malicious" allegations.

The former Tory MP, also expressed his sympathy for Mr Hague after the Foreign Secretary talked of how his wife Ffion suffered multiple miscarriages and are still grieving the loss of a pregnancy this summer.

Sir Albert said: "As I read it he has expressed the view that he didn't realise the implications of being in the same hotel room as this other man.

"It's a bit of a mystery why a cabinet member didn't have his own room though. I knew William as a colleague and have always respected and liked him.

"I'm sure he'll survive this and will continue to be a leading member of the government.

"He's not jumped into bed with a prostitute or anything like that, so I'm sure this will all die down.

"It's extremely sad though to hear about the problem he and his wife have faced in starting a family."

Meanwhile, a leading Tory source in the Scottish Parliament described Mr Hague as a "working-class man made good." The source said: "The general consensus about William Hague is maybe he was a bit naive, but that he hasn't been damaged in the long term.

"He's still viewed favourably by the public and is seen by a lot of people as a working-class man made good.

"There's no reason at all why William Hague shouldn't be promoted to another one of the great offices of state after he's continued doing a good job as Foreign Secretary."

Meanwhile, a 10 Downing Street spokeswoman said that Mr Cameron supports William Hague "100 per cent".

The Prime Minister's spokeswoman said most people would feel sympathy for Mr Hague.