The New Statesman magazine came up with a list of Tories it felt had the capacity to unsettle the leadership of Mr Cameron, naming Mr Duncan among them.

The article stated: "Despite his demotion from shadow leader of the Commons to shadow prisons minister, he remains one of the most popular members of the party, especially among those who see internal reform as critical to the Tories' success."

Mr Duncan said he had read the article and said he was taking it all in good humour.

He said: "I think the New Statesman said it all - candid and impressive! I'm not sure about the points raised within this piece. David Cameron and I are on the same side - let's get Gordon Brown out!"

Mr Duncan has started using social network website Twitter to communicate with his constituents. He says he will "tweet" his views on constituency issues, prisons and probation.Visit www.twitter.com/alanduncan4MP.