I'm not particularly bright

The Defence Secretary has admitted he is not particularly intelligent and claimed he is discriminated against because of his accent and moustache.

Bob Ainsworth said he had intellectual 'weaknesses' as he admitted ministers had failed to support Britain's front-line troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The under-pressure minister, who had never held a Cabinet post before his appointment in June, said: 'I have strengths and I have weaknesses.

'I don't pretend to be able to write a great thesis or doctorate - I have no pretensions in that direction.

'But I'll tell you what I do have, I have a good feel for ordinary people, for politics, and those are my strengths.