Born 26 May 1953. Married 1982, Carolyn Claire Eadie.

Education Harrow County School for Boys; Peterhouse College, Cambridge (MA history).

Life outside politics Following his 1997 ejection from the Commons by the voters, made the Channel 4 documentary Portillo's Progress, 1998; BBC documentary Great Railway Journeys, 1999; BBC Radio's The Legacy of Division, 2000.

Political career Conservative Research Department 1976-1979; special adviser to energy secretary David Howell 1979-81; oil industry consultant 1981-83; special adviser to trade secretary Cecil Parkinson and chancellor Nigel Lawson 1983-84; unsuccessfully contested Birmingham Perry Barr in 1983; elected MP for Enfield Southgate in a by-election in 1984; transport minister 1988-90; local government minister 1990-92; chief secretary to the Treasury 1992-94; employment secretary 1994-95; defence secretary 1995-97; lost his seat at the 1997 election; returned to Westminster as MP for Kensington & Chelsea at the 1999 by-election caused by Alan Clark's death; shadow chancellor 2000-2001.

Outside interests Adviser on international affairs, Kerr McGee Corporation; international strategy adviser (stepped down July 2001) Probyn Group; after-dinner speaking.