Liam Fox, a profile

Liam Fox has often raised eyebrows at Westminster with his colourful personal and professional life.

He is renowned for his sociable nature and, earlier this year, laughed off criticism over his decision to go to the pub when Ministry of Defence officials were helping co-ordinate the evacuation of UK nationals from Libya.

In doing so, he compared himself to Sir Winston Churchill, joking: "It's a bit like asking Churchill if he regrets having a drink during World War Two."

Few middle-aged Tory men can claim to be friends with a glamorous Australian pop star but Dr Fox counts Natalie Imbruglia among his close pals.

His parties are legendary and last month a gathering he organised to mark his 50th birthday attracted former prime minister Baroness Thatcher, who had been forced to miss an event held at Downing Street in honour of her own 85th birthday last year.

A hard-line right-winger, his relationship with No 10 has at times been strained, particularly after two highly-critical letters he wrote to Prime Minister David Cameron found their way into the press.

He also managed to cause upset when he described Afghanistan as a broken, 13th century country on the eve of a visit there by fellow Cabinet ministers William Hague and Andrew Mitchell, a move which reportedly earned him the nickname "13th century Fox" among officials.

His traditional right-wing views have secured him a strong powerbase within the party but he failed in his bid to become party leader in December 2005.

Before becoming an MP, Dr Fox worked both in the NHS and as a civilian army medical officer. He has credited his military work with convincing him of the Government's need to look after the armed forces.

Born and raised in East Kilbride, Scotland, he attended the local comprehensive school before going on to study medicine at Glasgow University.

After working as a GP in Somerset and Buckinghamshire, he successfully contested the rural Somerset seat of Woodspring, now North Somerset, in 1992.

The newly-elected MP soon became a polished Westminster performer thanks to his prize-winning debating skills, rising quickly through the ranks of Tory MPs and arriving at the Foreign Office in 1995.

In opposition, the anti-devolutionist was given charge of the constitutional affairs brief before taking over responsibility for health from Ann Widdecombe.

The Scot was made party chairman in 2003 under then-leader Michael Howard, and his slick, reliable performances often saw him named as a potential successor.

In 2005 he married long-term girlfriend Jesme, a fellow doctor from the same area south of Glasgow.

In an interview shortly before the big day, he said: "I know that some people use smears and I have heard them for years. They'd say 'Why are you not married? You must be a playboy or a wild man or gay', or whatever. Well, I'm getting married in December and I'm perfectly happy with my private life."

During the general election campaign last year, his Tower Bridge flat was burgled while he was at home and the thieves made off with his car and laptop.

That incident resurfaced damagingly this week when it emerged that Dr Fox had not been alone, as reporters were told, but had a male friend staying in the guest room.

PA