Lewes MP Norman Baker has been awarded the title of Inquisitor of the Year for his role in the downfall of Peter Mandelson.

The Liberal Democrat MP was honoured at the Zurich/Spectator Parliamentarian of the Year Awards in London last night.

He said: "This award will motivate me to continue to seek out those stones the Government would rather leave unturned and challenge the Government on its sometimes illiberal policies and bad decisions."

Mr Baker, who was rewarded with a silver plate, is famous for his tenacity at Westminster.

But the judges pointed out he had used a technique "no more fearsome than the Parliamentary question" to force the resignation of Mr Mandelson in the Hinduja "cash for passports" affair.

These questions revealed Mr Mandelson had made inquiries on behalf of the Hinduja brothers, who had donated cash to the Millennium Dome project and were seeking British passports.

He was forced to fall on his sword by Downing Street - even though he was subsequently cleared of any wrongdoing.

When receiving the award, Mr Baker said the title he was given was a bit too "medieval" for his taste.

He said: "I prefer the more general 'pain in the neck' and that's what Government ministers, I hope, call me."

Mr Baker has asked more than 330 Parliamentary questions this year and also won a test case establishing the principal that MI5 should be subject to the Data Protection Act.