Born to a single mother on a council estate and with a communist grandfather, David Davis has always been something of an irregular Conservative MP.

Although derided in some quarters with accusations that a considerable ego has obstructed undoubted talents, the father of three’s working class origins have helped him to stand out from colleagues with more privileged backgrounds.

A no-nonsense image has been assisted by a distinctive broken nose, a product of a sporting injury from his youth.

Born in 1948 and first elected in 1987 after a business career with Tate and Lyle and a spell as an SAS reserve, he became Minister for Europe in John Major’s government where he is said to have revelled in the nickname "Monsieur Non".

His first attempt at securing the top job in the Conservative Party was in 2001 after the resignation of William Hague when he was beaten into fourth place by Ian Duncan Smith.

He surprised many by refusing to run against Michael Howard following Duncan Smith’s resignation and was rewarded with the post of shadow Home Secretary.

In 2005 he was the frontrunner to succeed Mr Howard but was eclipsed by his young rival, David Cameron after a lacklustre campaign.

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