AMBER RUDD has reignited Tory leadership speculation by hosting a secret fundraiser where millionaire donors paid £2,000 each, The Sun can reveal.

The plush dinner comes amid speculation from Cabinet colleagues that the Home Secretary has been courting up to 80 Tory MPs in preparation for a tilt at No10 before the next election.

2 London's Carlton Club, where Amber Rudd hosted millionaires at a swanky fundraising dinner Credit: Alamy

One told The Sun she is “streets ahead” of her rivals and has been “turning up” at other MP’s constituency events “all over the country.”

Another MP added: “She’s not being very subtle about it.”

The secret dinner to line her coffers was held at London’s posh Carlton Club that is officially linked to the Tory party.

Rich guests were invited to the lavish townhouse in the heart of London’s clubland.

They were then asked to donate at the bash - with ex-Vodafone boss Sir Christopher Gent forking out £2,000.

2 PM Theresa May hinted that Amber Rudd could be making a bid for the Tory leadership Credit: EPA

Other backers paying £2,000 each included Remain campaign donor Alexia Florman, Virgin Money boss Jayne Anne Gadhia’s husband Ashok.

The haul was so large that Mrs Rudd had to register the cash on strict Commons anti-sleaze registers.

The lucrative tin-shaking party was held just days before Theresa May publicly joked about Ms Rudd’s leadership hopes.

The PM quipped to journalists last month that David Cameron had warned her to “worry about ambitious female Home Secretaries… Lovely to see you tonight, Amber.”

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Last night a source close to Ms Rudd insisted that all the funds were raised to help her fight her ultra-marginal seat of Hasting and Rye.

The pal insisted that the money would be spent on flyers and leaflets in her local area.

The Home Secretary previously triggered speculation about going for the top job after hiring the services of the Tories’ former election strategist Sir Lynton Crosby in a bid to shore up her wafer thin 346 majority.