Former Enfield-Southgate MP Michael Portillo spoke about his spectacular political downfall ,, and comeback ,, during a visit to Barnet this week.

The Shadow Chancellor was guest of honour at the newly-formed Hendon Conservative's inaugural social function in Arkley last Saturday

Mr Portillo was widely tipped to take over from John Major as Conservative Party leader before losing his seat to Stephen Twigg in the 1997 election.

'I didn't find it as difficult as people thought I would. I was mentally prepared,' he said.

'I could quickly see some of the advantages. For my colleagues who went back to Westminster it was also a terrible shock to see a decimated party. I didn't have to do that.'

Instead Mr Portillo took a 'sabbatical' from Parliament, making a TV programme with the BBC on his father's experiences fighting in the Spanish civil war.

He returned to Parliament earlier this year representing Kensington & Chelsea after the death of Alan Clarke.

Mr Portillo brushed off questions regarding his leadership ambitions, saying: 'The question is just a distraction from what Mr Hague and myself are doing together. I wonder whether Gordon Brown is plagued by these questions?'