Nick Brown was initially regarded as a success at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

He oversaw the ending of the ban on beef exports to Europe and has said the ban on beef on the bone could be lifted by Christmas. Last week, in retaliation to the blockade on British beef by France, Mr Brown announced he was personally boycotting French produce.

But the worsening crisis in agriculture has led to criticism from farmers, especially from hill farmers in the newly devolved Wales and Scotland, who have turned to their own agricultural ministers for help.