LONDON-Former Sun editor Kelvin Mackenzie may challenge David Davis in the by-election caused by the Conservative's shock decision to resign over the government's counter-terrorism plans.
Labour has not yet decided whether to put up a candidate and its deputy leader Harriet Harman condemned Davis' surprise move as "irresponsible and unnecessary."
Davis, whose unprecedented decision perplexed fellow Conservatives, said: "I feel duty bound to make a personal stand against this assault on fundamental freedoms."
The Conservatives' spokesman on home affairs resigned his parliamentary seat on Thursday to stand again, promising to argue against what he called "the slow strangulation of fundamental British freedoms by this government."
The move, a personal decision not sanctioned by the Conservative leadership, effectively makes the vote in his east Yorkshire constituency a referendum on Gordon Brown's plans to toughen terrorism laws.
Mackenzie has provided the latest twist in the drama.
Asked whether it was Sun owner Rupert Murdoch who wanted him to stand, Mackenzie said "Yes it is."
"Rupert Murdoch and Rebekah Wade, who is editor of The Sun, both felt that democracy would not be best served by a walkover and suggested to me last night that I might be the person to fill the hole."
When BBC Today presenter John Humphrys asked him "You don't always do what people tell you to, do you?" Mackenzie retorted "I do if it is Rupert Murdoch, strangely."
"Vote for me, I'm The Sun's man," Mackenzie told BBC Radio, insisting it was not a publicity stunt.
Davis is defending a majority of over 5,000 in Haltemprice and Howden where a by-election will cost taxpayers an estimated 75,000 pounds in administrative costs.
The Liberal Democrats have already said they would not oppose Davis and Labour's Harman was withering in her criticism.
"A by-election is not necessary and it is irresponsible to be calling a by-election when it is not necessary."
"What this is really about is the conflicts and divisions within the Conservative Party on the important issues of terrorism and national security," she said.
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