Bournewatch (2)

More from Vaughan Roderick:

"I can now be more open about the story Betsan and I have been hinting at this week.

It appears that Nick Bourne has lost the trust of the Tory group. I understand that at least 7 of the 12 members want to see a change of leader. What separates them is their view of when Nick should go and how to force him to do that. In short, Jonathan Morgan and Darren Millar supporters have been playing a taactical game to try to ensure that their man succeeds Nick.

There are whispers that Jonathan and Darren are close to agreeing that Jonathan should lead the group with Darren a deputy to him. There is also talk that the two could lead a delegation to say to Nick that it's time he went.

I should explain that Nick's behaviour during the squabble over the "dodgy dossier" is at the bottom of all this - not the expenses he has claimed. Ever since the document trouble I understand that some of the most prominent members of the group and some of the most experienced officers have been shut out of the leader's strategy meetings. According to one source, Nick "lives in a bunker with Nick Ramsay and a handful of inexperienced researchers".

It's here that expenses come into things. If the public's reaction to the expenses Nick has claimed is fierce and damaging it seems that there will be a movement against him within days. If the fuss proves to be short-lived, Nick will survive until next year - but if the situation doesn't change, only until then."