Prepare for the Tory weapon of self-destruction

AS IF things weren't bad enough for Michael Howard as he prepares for a daunting election campaign, the Tory leader’s in-tray is set to get even more depressing.

For, while Labour are pouring their resources into unearthing the most embarrassing skeletons in Howard’s political cupboard, one of the most frightening ghosts from his party’s past is preparing to walk back into his life.

Lord Archer, millionaire novelist, disgraced Tory peer, convicted perjurer and former inmate number FF8282 at the North Sea Camp prison, has been safely exiled from his former colleagues for the past five years, since William Hague expelled him for "bringing the party into disrepute".

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But the day that party apparatchiks hoped would never dawn has arrived, and Howard is facing a pre-election quandary over whether the colourful former Tory deputy chairman and London mayoral candidate should be allowed back into the fold now his term of expulsion is over.

Remarkably, after all the grief the party has suffered as a result of Archer's exploits in recent years, Howard is coming under increasing pressure to sanction his former colleague's return.

Friends of Archer, who is seen as a legendary Tory campaigner, a major donor and energetic fundraiser, say that he is keen to rejoin the party, to resume his seat on the Tory benches in the Lords and, above all, is "aching" to lend his energetic support to Howard’s attempt to win the keys to No 10 Downing Street. Scotland on Sunday understands that the shamed peer is considering making a low-key return to politics at the grassroots level, via his local constituency in South Cambridgeshire.

"He’s got a hankering to help out in the campaign," said one of Archer’s friends last night. "That’s the main thing. I’m sure the Lords can wait."

Peter Bottomley, a Tory MP and former ministerial colleague of the novelist, said he looked forward to Lord Archer joining the Conservatives’ election campaign.

"He has been a central part of the life and soul of the party and done much to bring about its greatest successes," said Bottomley, one of a small band of Tory figures who has maintained contact with the disgraced peer during his time in the wilderness. "I am sure he will be helping out up and down the country."

The suggestion has not, however, been welcomed by Conservative headquarters. The party’s official spokesman maintained the careful position that "any application would be considered on its individual merits". But, questioned as to whether the party would be taking a proactive stance and inviting Archer to reapply for his membership card, another senior aide could only laugh at the prospect.

"I don’t think we’ll be doing that," she added. "I think it will be up to him to make an application and we would deal with it if and when it arrives."

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Archer’s exile, imposed after he was sentenced to four years in prison for perjury, officially expired on Friday. He is believed to have begun paving his way back into Tory society in recent months through a number of social events, including two Christmas parties at his London penthouse, although he failed to entice Howard or Baroness Thatcher into attending.

A summer party at his home in Grantchester attracted only two senior Tories - Bottomley and his wife Virginia, a fellow MP and former Cabinet minister.

Archer has also made excursions into grassroots Tory life, including a well-received speech in the Essex constituency of Harlow, where the prospective parliamentary candidate is Robert Halfon, his political secretary during the ill-fated mayoral candidacy.

The surprise visit provoked immediate condemnation, in a timely reminder of how explosive Archer’s public involvement in party affairs could be during an election campaign.

"I was frankly amazed that the Conservatives in Harlow invited Jeffrey Archer to visit," said Harlow MP and Foreign Office minister Bill Rammell. "He is a convicted criminal and this invitation demonstrates they will do anything to get publicity and funds."

But Howard’s office faces an anxious wait for the inevitable membership application to arrive.

A spokeswoman for Lord Archer last night said he was unavailable for comment.

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