THE HOME Secretary has brushed off speculation linking her to the Conservative party leadership, telling the Free Press she has a job to get on with.

Speaking exclusively to the BFP, Theresa May has played down the suggestion she could take over from David Cameron.

The Prime Minister has come under increasing pressure from some within his own ranks, both backbenchers and grassroot Tories, particularly over the issue of gay marriage.

Ex-Wycombe MP Paul Goodman last week spoke glowingly of the Maidenhead MP and said she was ready to take the reins if the Coalition fails or if Mr Cameron was ousted.

Asked about how she felt about his comments and being tipped for leader, she said: "No, we've got a first class leader and a first class Prime Minister in David Cameron who is taking us through some really difficult times and I think it's in the interest of this country that he carries on being PM not just now but after the general election as well.

"I've got a job to do as Home Secretary and I'm getting on with doing it."

Of Mr Goodman, she remarked: "I always worked very well with Paul Goodman, we collaborated on a number of local issues."

Mrs May was speaking at Marlow Rowing Club on Friday, where a £1m grant from Sport England was announced.

Mr Goodman had said Mrs May's stance in a speech earlier this month on wanting to leave the European Court of Human Rights confirmed she intends to be a candidate for the Tory leadership.

He wrote in a newspaper column: "It formed part of the first-ever speech in which she set out her political world view – ranging outside her Home Office brief to set out a deeply personal political manifesto.

"It was a declaration of intent, confirming that she intends to be a candidate for the Conservative leadership if David Cameron loses the next General Election.

"It confirmed that she is ready to lead if Cameron falls – not just after the Election but before it, if his disillusioned party overthrows him."