Portillo supporters defer launch of thinktank

Michael Portillo's supporters agreed to cancel plans to launch a Tory thinktank today after Iain Duncan Smith complained it threatened to overshadow his first party conference as leader. The group led by Francis Maude, Mr Portillo's campaign manager, postponed the unveiling until next month after private talks with Mr Duncan Smith.

Mr Duncan Smith and his team are anxious to present a united front and temper any internal dissent after last month's victory over Kenneth Clarke in an ill-tempered leadership battle.

The thinktank is to pursue the modernising social liberalism agenda championed by Mr Portillo who was knocked out before the final run-off and remains a "lost leader" to many Tories.

Mr Duncan Smith met Mr Maude last week and other prominent "Portillistas" behind the project - Archie Norman, Tim Yeo and David Willetts - endorsed the suspension.

Mr Willetts yesterday said discussions were under way to make Mr Duncan Smith president - to avoid, in the words of Mr Yeo, the group appearing as a "bunch of Tory refuseniks" opposed to the leader.