Sir Norman Fowler is the man with more comebacks than Frank Sinatra.

Was expected to resign from the front bench after the first year in opposition under William Hague, but in June 1998 was promoted to shadow Jack Straw at the home office, a department he has always coveted, in place of Sir Brian Mawhinney.

Sir Norman is a veteran Tory minister. A "safe pair of hands", who in 1990 left Mrs Thatcher's government to "spend more time with his family" (and write his memoirs) but kept being recalled to the colours.

Was close to John Major (once his junior minister) and was his on-the-road campaign manager in 1992, when he won the general election against expectations. Mr Major made him chairman of the party for two years to repair Tory finances.

Took up newspaper dierectorships including the Daily Express. He had also been adviser to security firm Group 4 but was embarrassed over the escape of prisoners in its care.

Recalled again by William Hague to lend a bit of gravitas to the shadow front bench, in opposition to John Prescott and his monster ministry of Environment, Transport and the Regions.

As transport minister under Mrs Thatcher, was one of the early privatisers (the National Freight Corporation, motorway service stations) and was persuaded to enforce seat belt legislation.

During a long spell at the Department of Health and Social Security, he reformed pensions and began a massive publicity campaign about the dangers of Aids.