The new MP for Arundel and South Downs expressed sympathy with his ousted predecessor Howard Flight in his maiden speech.

Nick Herbert, who was installed as the Tory candidate after Mr Flight was sacked on the eve of the election, said he was "sad about the circumstances".

The new MP, who was elected in the safe Conservative seat on May 5, also made a veiled attack on the leadership's handling of the affair and called for Mr Flight to be given a new role in the party.

The circumstances of Mr Herbert's selection were mired in controversy after the sacking of Mr Flight for unguarded comments about the party's spending plans.

When Mr Flight subsequently had the whip withdrawn by Tory leader Michael Howard, there was a stand-off between the leadership and activists in Arundel and South Downs, who initially resisted the move.

In his first Commons address on Monday night, Mr Herbert said his appointment had been "something of a surprise" and joked he was no longer able to speak his mind.

He said: "Two months ago I hardly thought I would be in the position I am now. I had been enjoying running a think-tank and conducting radical thinking - that luxury is no longer available to me."

Mr Herbert also took a swipe at the Labour Party, which was thought to have been responsible for obtaining the tape of Mr Flight's remarks.

Mr Herbert said: "It is right for me to pay tribute to my predecessor, Howard Flight.

"He was a well-regarded constituency MP.

"He was assiduous in the attention he gave to his constituency and in his work for my party - work that was shared by his wife Christabel.

"I hope that my party will find a continuing role for Howard in the future."