NICKNAMED the Vulcan after Star Trek's Dr Spock, John Redwood is said by some to be the cleverest man in the British Government - and the most logically cool.
Until he resigned from it yesterday Mr Redwood, 44, was also, arguably, the least well-known member of Cabinet, usually shunning publicity and keeping his family out of the limelight.
Times columnist and former MP Matthew Parris joked: 'Redwood is not entirely Vulcan, he is not completely logical but there is a rather cool and rational and not entirely human streak about him - he also has large ears.' His critics are scathing. Sir Edward Heath talks of his constant blunders, others say he has to practise how to smile in front of a mirror. Humour is not regarded as his strong point.
Simon Ettridge, the leader of his local district council, Wokingham in Berkshire, says he is a deep thinker local Tories chose for his Cabinet and now possibly prime ministerial potential.
'He is very personable and warm and he comes over well,' Mr Ettridge said. 'I believe he is a good all rounder.' Lady Thatcher spotted his logical skills in the 1980s when she appointed him the head of the Downing Street policy unit.
A fellow member of that unit, George Guys, commented: 'He analyses the facts without prejudging them. When he has come to a conclusion he sticks to it. He doesn't waver on something because it is not popular.' Mr Redwood's right-wing views fitted in well with the latter years of Lady Thatcher's rule, and after becoming an MP in 1987 he moved quickly up the ladder.
Under Prime Minister John Major he became Welsh Secretary in 1993, where he was criticised by some for using the principality as a personal political laboratory for his right-wing ideals.
