A self-confessed "stern disciplinarian" said to have earned the nickname "Thrasher" at school, Andrew Mitchell was installed as the government's chief whip in the recent reshuffle.

The 56-year-old Tory is noted for his ambition, and admits to having a "competitive streak" - though he insists he is not "ruthless".

Mitchell was educated at the prestigious Rugby public school and Cambridge University, before joining the army and serving as a UN peacekeeper during the 1970s.

He went on to forge a lucrative career in banking, but was always determined to enter politics.

While a child in Hampshire his father Sir David was elected as a Conservative MP and served as a minister under Margaret Thatcher.

The father and son's time in the House of Commons coincided for a decade after the younger Mitchell became MP for Gedling, Nottinghamshire in 1987.

Mitchell was made vice-chairman of the Conservative Party under John Major, and was a government Whip during the notorious rebellion over the Maastricht Treaty.

Later promoted to social security minister, he suffered a setback in losing his seat during the Labour landslide of 1997.

However, within four years he had made it back to Westminster, representing Sutton Coldfield.

Now viewed as a Cameron loyalist, just seven years ago he was once a fierce opponent, running David Davis's campaign in the contest for the Tory leadership.

As International Development Secretary in May 2010 he was committed to enshrining in law an obligation on the UK to spend 0.7% of national income on overseas aid, a move that has not always proved popular with Tory backbenchers.

SEE ALSO

• Andrew Mitchell, Chief Whip, Apologises For 'Pleb' Police Tirade

Loading Slideshow

• John Prescott

  Who can forget this classic? After being pelted with an egg Prescott doesn't think twice about clocking the perpetrator with a swift left hook. To be fair he deserved it just for the mullet, never mind the egg.

• Boris Johnson

  No surprise that these two would show up. In a relationship so tempestuous that it overshadows Axl Rose and Slash, Heather Mills and Paul McCartney and the time that Big Ears stole Noddy's bell, Boris Johnson and Ken Livingstone are renowned for their heated confrontations. This year's London Mayoral election reached boiling point when Johnson accused Livingstone of being "a f**king liar!" How rude.

• Stephen Pound

  Don't let his warm smile, and werthers-original-offering-cuddly-Grandad looks fool you. Stephen Pound, MP for Ealing North, is nails. Well, you'd have to be to <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1277538/Labour-MP-Stephen-Pounds-foul-mouthed-football-rant.html">call Sol Campbell "a big f***ing fairy." In front of numerous children.</a>

• Mark Pritchard

  John Bercow, (pictured) Speaker of the House of Commons, has numerous benefits that come with his position. A £68,000 salary, a river view apartment in Westminster and a rather dashing black silk gown. But perhaps the greatest privilege is the right to walk in a straight line through Parliament, unimpeded by MPs who have to graciously bow out of your way as you pass. Unless you are Mark Pritchard. When accused by Bercow of blocking his path Pritchard shot back "you are not f***ing royalty," before rather politely adding "Mr Speaker."

• Eric Joyce

  Not content with mere words and bypassing fisticuffs entirely, Eric Joyce upped the ante and went straight for hooligan's favourite method of violence, the headbutt. After one or two too many sherries Joyce flew into a rage in a packed Westminster bar, headbutting Tory MP for Pudsey Stuart Andrew and allegedly attacking three other people. The police were called and Joyce was arrested.

• Adam Holloway

  South London rag, News Shopper thought that it had come up with a rather lovely idea for a piece when it decided to ask local MPs what their summer holiday plans were. Reporter Dan Keel set about collecting said information and was met with plans of sun, sand and then this.... DAN: Hi it's Dan from the News Shopper newspaper. I was just wondering if you received my email about MP holidays? HOLLOWAY: Ah the online lynch mob. Why don't you get on with doing some proper journalism. DAN: So you won't be answering any of my questions? HOLLOWAY: Yeah I will answer them - I will be going to Hawaii for 69 days - now f*ck off

• Paul Gogarty

  We are now briefly hopping over to Ireland to present two superbly presented expletives. Note the ever so polite and calm introduction of "the most unparliamentary language", the pure venom in his words and the slightly pigeon-esque head movements. Not to mention the apology and attempted retraction after.