The Independent devotes two pages to the news that IDS has penned a soon-to-be-published thriller novel called "The Devil's Tune".

He follows in the footsteps of other Tories who have written books including Disraeli, Bulwer-Lytton and Arthur Brookfield.

Modern day Tory MPs to have put pen to paper include Douglas Hurd, Edwina Currie and Ann Widdecombe.