ROBIN BIRLEY, the Old Etonian millionaire nightclub owner, has emerged as a surprise financial backer of David Davis, the bookmakers’ favourite to be the next Tory leader.

Mr Birley, who runs Annabel’s, which was named after his mother, Annabel Goldsmith, has loaned Mr Davis the use of a private helicopter.

The Shadow Home Secretary, whose constituency is in East Yorkshire, has used the helicopter on a regional tour in connection with his portfolio. He is expected to fly to Blackpool from London tomorrow for the start of the Tory party conference. The four-seater Squirrel helicopter is standing on a field near Mr Davis’s cottage in the Yorkshire countryside.

Kenneth Clarke, the former Chancellor, may be able to go one better than Mr Davis and have his own aircraft for the duration of the two-month leadership campaign.

Sir Michael Bishop, who owns British Midland Airways, declared himself yesterday as a financial backer of Mr Clarke’s third tilt at the leadership.

Sir Michael, a lifelong Tory, is a passionate supporter of European monetary integration and one of the few openly gay businessmen in the City.

Mr Davis, 56, and Mr Birley, 47, may seem unlikely soulmates. Mr Birley is the stepson of Sir James Goldsmith, the late billionaire who founded and bankrolled the now- defunct Referendum Party, which was set up to campaign against the single currency.

Annabel’s, whose members include aristocracy and David Blunkett, the Work and Pensions Secretary, was set up by his father, Mark Birley, who also owns the private club Harry’s Bar and who was a friend of Lord Lucan.

Mr Davis, in contrast to the privileged background of Mr Birley, will highlight his humble upbringing as the son of a single mother brought up on a South London council estate to try to demonstrate that he is the candidate best placed to reach out to ordinary voters.

Mr Birley, who still bears the scars from a mauling by a lioness in the zoo owned by his father’s friend John Aspinall, shares his stepfather’s deep distaste for monetary union. It is one of the reasons he has become a firm supporter of Mr Davis, who is also a hardline opponent of the euro.

Mr Birley said: “I am a big supporter. He is the most conservative of the candidates. He has got courage and charisma.”

If Mr Davis uses the helicopter in any constituency hustings, he will have to declare it, as the Conservative Party has set a £100,000 ceiling on spending by candidates. All candidates’ returns will be submitted to the independent Electoral Commission. The £100,000 stipulation comes in when nominations close next Friday.

In the 2001 leadership election Michael Portillo spent £98,000, Iain Duncan Smith £88,000 and Kenneth Clarke £83,000. The five candidates who have so far indicated that they will stand are expected to raise and spend similar amounts.

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