Stephen Dorrell is a "wet" protege of Peter Walker, whose Parliamentary Private Secretary he was, and a left-wing rebel against Mrs Thatcher until made a whip and then given a job by John Major.

Worked his way up as a minister via the Health Department and the Treasury (where he was concerned with privatisation and taxation) to be National Heritage Secretary, at which he did not shine. Then Health Secretary in the two years before Labour's landslide.

He became the first Tory minister to address the Trades Union Congress annual conference.

Entered the running for Conservative leader in 1997 when Mr Major resigned, but pulled out through lack of support.

Made shadow education and employment spokesman in William Hague's shadow cabinet, but kept a low profile and after hints that he wanted to leave, was let go in the first reshuffle of June 1998..

Was a director of his family clothing business (Faithful Group).