The Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney coasted to victory in the latest of the party presidential contests, the Nevada caucuses, but main rival Newt Gingrich vowed he will not be dropping out any time soon.

Romney's win widens the gap between him and Gingrich, the former senator Rick Santorum and the Texas congressman Ron Paul. The former Massachusetts governor has now won three of the five opening contests.

Mitt Romney celebrates with supporters in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The former Massachusetts governor won the state caucuses by
a solid margin. Photograph: Ethan Miller/Getty

Gingrich sought to ruin Romney's post-election celebrations, calling a press conference to deny he planned to quit and blaming the rumors on the Romney camp. "I am not going to withdraw," he said.

Gingrich instead set out a strategy for a protracted campaign. He boldly claimed he would have near-parity with Romney by the time of the Texas primary on 3 April and a chance to take the lead afterwards. He pledged to fight on to the Republican convention in Tampa, Florida, in August.

Underlining the extent of division and bitterness created by the race, Gingrich again described Romney as "blatantly dishonest", a line that Democrats will happily replay if Romney becomes the nominee to face Barack Obama for the White House in November.