EAST Lancashire's lone Tory MP Nigel Evans, has told his colleagues to stop their 'silly navel gazing' and rally behind opposition leader Iain Duncan Smith.

The shadow cabinet member is appalled at the latest round of party in-fighting which has put a question mark over the party's performance in May's local government elections and polls for the Scottish and Welsh assemblies.

The shadow Welsh secretary joined Tory chief whip David Maclean and defence spokesman Bernard Jenkin today in calling for an end to the in-fighting.

It was sparked when Mr Duncan Smith sacked two aides at Conservative Central Office and brought in right wing Euro sceptic former MP Barry Legg, as his chief executive and chief of staff.

This led to private criticism from many left-wingers and a public attack on Mr Duncan Smith's leadership from Michael Portillo, the former Defence Secretary he defeated to get the job.

Ribble Valley MP Mr Evans said: "I think we should move our focus to attacking the Government which is letting everyone down and damaging public services. To continue with this navel gazing is wholly irresponsible.

"We have been through this before and we have got out of it. We were starting to improve. To go back to this navel gazing is frankly silly.

"We shouldn't be fighting old wars. We should get behind Iain Duncan Smith, who has been doing a good job and attack the Government.

"People don't support divided parties. I think there are some people who would actually like us to do badly in the local elections so they could challenge Iain. They see it as their last chance.

"I think it is mainly people working on behalf of others. They should stop.

"Michael Portillo's contribution last week in raising the question of whether Iain should be replaced was certainly not helpful."

Mr Maclean accused some people in the party who were raising the prospect of a leadership challenge of being 'selfish and destructive.'

Mr Evans was backed by local Tories. Coun Colin Rigby, of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "We should stick behind Iain Duncan Smith who is the leader of choice.

"He inherited the role at a difficult time and has been trying to get us in par position if not in front, which he has done.

"Essentially I am behind him. We do need to pull together as he is in charge and is working hard to try and bring us forward."

Coun Peter Britcliffe, opposition leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, said: "There is a very real opportunity to win councils in the next few weeks.

"I am sure that my group are sickened by some of the antics of people at Westminster who care not about us at grass roots level that work extremely hard for the party. I am not an Iain Duncan Smith supporter and I did not vote for him, but he was selected by the majority and as a democracy we have to stand by him."