Archer Affair: THE CHANGING CHARACTER REFERENCES OF A WOULD-BE MAYOR

Baroness Thatcher, in August, as London Tories prepared to vote: "Tireless energy and unquenchable enthusiasm are Jeffrey Archer's hallmarks. These are precisely the qualities that the Conservative candidate for mayor of London requires. Jeffrey has my wholehearted support."

Baroness Thatcher's office, last night: "Baroness Thatcher is not making any comment on this, absolutely no comment."

John Major, a character referee for Lord Archer, in 1995: "I am happy to confirm that Lord Archer is my friend and will remain my friend."

John Major, promising to campaign for Lord Archer with his soapbox in the mayoral election: "He works incessantly for the party and understands it from the grass roots up."

John Major's office last night: Promised to provide a reply after being asked for Mr Major's reaction, but failed to do so.

William Hague, at this year's Conservative Party conference: "This candidate is a candidate of probity and integrity."

William Hague, on 3 October: "Jeffrey Archer has been through weeks, months of an election campaign ... anything that could be said about him had been said, and all the attacks that could be made on him had been made."

William Hague last night: "This is the end of politics for Jeffrey Archer. Let me make this clear - I will not tolerate behaviour like this in my party."