Rebel Tories 'plot' to get new blood in and Cameron out

Adam Afriyie is a multimillionaire who was elected the first black Tory MP in 2005 and has never claimed expenses for travel or a second home.

But the virtually unknown man who has risen from humble roots in Peckham to a lavish former monastery in Windsor - his constituency - is being touted as Mr Cameron's successor.

Mr Cameron has fallen foul of a nest of right-wing traditionalist MPs over issues such as gay marriage and scrapping child benefit for families on more than £50,000 a year.

If Mr Camron fails to deliver at the next general election he is in danger not only from the Afriyie camp but also possibly also from George Osborne, Michael Gove, Jesse Norman and Graham Brady according to strong rumours.

The Mail on Sunday reported Mr Afriyie as saying: "I supported David Cameron to become leader. I love him and want him to be leader for the next 20 years."

But the Sunday Times quoted a "friend" of Mr Afriyie, who is 47 and a former shadow science minister, as saying: "The team are well organised. They are very concerned about the long-term future of the party and believe Adam is the future."

He could be just a "stalking horse" similar to Sir Anthony Meyer who stood against Maggie Thatcher in 1989, setting off her demise.