Tories: Davis happy to serve Cameron

Mr Davis has been out in the cold since his shock decision to quit and force a by-election when the Government won a parliamentary vote to allow terror suspects to be detained for 42 days without charge.

But campaigning in Devon yesterday, the Haltemprice and Howden MP said: "I enjoy being a backbencher. I am perfectly happy to serve if I am needed."

Mr Davis won his by-election easily after the Liberal Democrats and Labour stood aside, and the 42 days measure eventually had to be shelved after being blocked in the House of Lords.

Meanwhile Mr Davis dismissed as "daft" proposals to manage immigration by region and to give minor criminals community justice rather than prison sentences.