Sir Vince Cable will not allow the Liberal Democrats to agree a deal with the Tories because “having mated with a praying mantis once we are not going to do it again".

The favourite to be the next leader of the LibDems ruled out allowing his MPs to sign a confidence and supply deal with the minority Conservative government.

There was speculation this week that the Conservatives could open talks with the Liberal Democrats’ 12 MPs about supporting the Government if the DUP talks fail.

But Sir Vince, the former Business secretary, told The Daily Telegraph: “Having mated with a preying mantis once we are not going to do it again.

“They will have to accept they are a minority government which will stay in power with the consent of the other parties in parliament and run a different style of government.”

Sir Ed Davey, another former Cabinet minister who is expected to say he will stand in the coming days, also said that he would oppose any deal.

The Lib Dem MPs were more attuned to the disciplines of government after their experience running the Coalition with the Conservatives.

LibDem sources insisted that no deal could be done by current leader Tim Farron, who ruled them out during the election campaign.