CONSERVATIVE MPs in Kent say they expect the issue of Iain Duncan Smith’s leadership of the party to be resolved one way or another this week.

The fevered speculation about Mr Duncan Smith’s fate shows no sign of abating despite a warning from him that the party would be ripped apart by another leadership contest.

Backbench Tories in the county remained publicly loyal to Mr Duncan Smith today but conceded the next few days would be critical to his prospects of remaining as leader.

Meanwhile, the Folkestone and Hythe MP Michael Howard has firmly distanced himself from reports suggesting he would be among the favourites to succeed Mr Duncan Smith in the event of a contest.

Mr Howard said: “A damaging and debilitating leadership battle is the last thing we need. It is under the leadership of Iain Duncan Smith that we are on course to present a clear and coherent programme for government at the next election.”

Faversham and Mid Kent MP Hugh Robertson, a Conservative whip, said the party appeared to be in the grip of a bout of “collective insanity.”

“We should get on and back the leader and back his policies. The constant speculation about the leadership is deeply damaging to the work of the party in parliament and nationally. [The issue] must be resolved one way or another and therefore I would urge my colleagues either to write their letters or shut up and let us get on,” he said.

Canterbury MP Julian Brazier predicted that the leadership issue would “wither and die” if 25 MPs did not formally request a vote of confidence.

“I am very sorry that a small group of colleagues have chosen to undermine the leader in this way. I think matters will come to a head in the next 48 hours or so. It is possible the 25 names will come forward but if they don’t, the issue will wither and die.”

Thanet North MP Roger Gale rounded on the media for its part in feeding the speculation and said he had “total disdain” for those trying to force a leadership contest.

“The incessant speculation has been built up by the media, admittedly fomented by some of my colleagues. I have total disdain for those muttering behind his back, hiding in the shadows and who are not prepared to put their head above the parapet.”

Shadow education secretary and Ashford MP Damian Green, conceded: “It has to come to a head one way or another in the course of this week. If MPs want to put letters in asking for a confidence vote, they are entitled to do so but the longer this carries on, the worse it is.”

Although he said he had sought the views of local constituency association activists, he declined to say whether they were backing the leader.

The Conservative party’s plight was hit last week when a major donor who lives in Kent announced that he would no longer give money to the party while Mr Duncan Smith was in charge.

Stuart Wheeler, who owns Chilham Castle, near Canterbury, and gave £5million to the party, said Mr Duncan Smith should go because he was “terribly bad at communicating” and it was the duty of MPs to force a leadership contest.