Brown accepts acclaim

Gordon Brown (right), the Chancellor of the Exchequer, was named Parliamentarian of the Year yesterday, and former prime minister Lord Callaghan Elder Statesman of the Year. At the Spectator magazine and Highland Park Scotch Whisky awards, Mr Brown said: "I can genuinely say I am very grateful - I am grateful to have survived these last 10 years at all."

John Redwood, Tory trade and industry spokesman, was Questioner of the Year; Backbencher of the Year was Quentin Davies, Tory MP for Grantham and Stamford; and Margaret, Countess of Mar, was Peer of the Year for instigating an inquiry into Gulf War chemicals and the health of the armed forces.