by political editor Paul Francis

Ann Widdecombe says she expects to decide this week whether to enter the contest to become Speaker of the House of Commons after a poll said she was the overwhelming favourite among the public.

The opinion poll, carried in the Daily Telegraph, suggested she had the support of 27 per cent of 5,000 people surveyed - three times as many as supported another possible contender Sir Menzies Campbell.

Ms Widdecombe told the KM Group she was flattered by the survey’s results but wanted to gauge the level of support among her parliamentary colleagues before deciding whether to join the contest.

"It is very flattering but you can’t discount the fact that I am probably the best known name among the public and when the contest starts in earnest, I would be on an equal footing with all the other candidates."

She had not yet reached a decision about standing but confirmed she was weighing up levels of support across all the parties.

"I have been rung up and asked if I would stand and on my own side, I believe I have the level of support I need. But whoever the Speaker is, they must have the support of all sides of the House and without that they are doomed. I have told my team that I am not going to declare unless there is proof positive that there is also support from the Labour side, too," she added.

Ms Widdecombe has emerged unscathed from the on-going row over MPs’ allowances while others who have been connected with the Speaker’s role are regarded as having submitted some questionable claims.

She claimed the lowest level of second home allowances of all Kent MPs according to the latest official figures.

Nominations for the position of Speaker officially close on June 21, but most candidates are expected to declare some time before that. The vote will be done on the basis of a secret ballot of all MPs.