Mr Davies began his statement to MPs in the chamber by thanking Prime Minster Tony Blair for his support throughout the events of his resignation as Welsh secretary.

He then offered his "heartfelt and profound thanks" to his family and to his friends "in the face of a constant barrage of media inquiry".

He went on to complain of "media intrusion into my private life".

"Rumour and life has been asserted as truth," he said, and accused the press of an "arbitrary abuse of power".

Mr Davies resigned his cabinet post following what he described as a "lapse of judgement" after meeting another man on Clapham Common the previous evening.

He initially appeared to want to try to cling on to his position as leader of the Welsh Labour party - a position that would have virtually guaranteed him the job of first secretary in the principality's assembly.

But by the end of the week he was forced to abort this hope also, amid increasing speculation about his private life.

He told the Commons: "I know the process I have started will go on - creating a more mature and more open politics for Wales.

"Not for the first time in my life, I've been badly treated. I believe that my defences are strong enough to see me through this trying time.

"I worked hard to change the face of politics and government in Wales. I am now more determined than ever to see those changes through."

The park where Mr Davies met his assailant is a known pick-up area for gay men and used by drug dealers.

The former Welsh secretary has repeatedly denied he was seeking either of these when he went for a walk on the Common.

Even Downing Street appears somewhat bewildered by Mr Davies' account of events, with the prime minister's official spokesman frequently referring to it as "bizarre".

A feature of dramatic resignations

Personal statements in the Commons are a feature of dramatic resignations from government office.

In recent years, Sir Geoffrey Howe's statement to MPs in November 1990 ranks high in the drama stakes.

Sir Geoffrey's statement, which was triggered by Margaret Thatcher's having moved him from the Foreign Office to being deputy prime minister, triggered the prime minister's own downfall.

Sir Geoffrey made the statement - largely an onslaught on Mrs Thatcher's handling of European affairs - 13 days after resigning from the government.

She remained in the chamber throughout.

Speaking of her attitude to her ministers' efforts to negotiate in Europe, he said it was "like sending your opening batsmen to the crease only for them to find, the moment the first balls are bowled, that their bats have been broken by the team captain".

The following day Michael Heseltine declared himself a candidate in the leadership election. Two weeks later Mrs Thatcher was out of 10, Downing Street and John Major was in.

Another memorable personal statement was that of former chancellor Norman Lamont after his sacking from the Treasury in 1993.