John Maples was made shadow health secretary after gettting back into the Commons in 1997 via the safe seat vacated by the Alan Howarth, who defected to Labour.

He was not a great success in the role and botched an attack on Labour's hospital closures. After a year he was moved to be shadow defence secretary, taking over from Sir George Young, just as the strategic defence review was to be announced by the government.

Formerly a barrister and prosperous businessman. Was was leftish on social issues when representing an inner London seat; but after becoming aide to Norman Lamont, he was promoted to be Treasury minister for two years, where he impressed as rightish on economics.

A fast-talking performer at the despatch box, and a smooth propagandist on TV.

When he lost his seat in 1992, he became boss of the Saatchi and Saatchi PR firm, then vice-chairman of the Tory party. His memo about the failings of the Major government was embarrassingly leaked and he advised MPs to stay off the NHS as a campaign issue.