DR Taylor has already been dubbed the man in the white coat as he carries the flame of independence from Martin Bell.

Mr Bell, called the man in the white suit after his triumph as an independent against Tory sleaze at the last General Election, showed his school contemporary around the House of Commons on Tuesday.

However, there will be no old boys reunion for the former pupils of the Leys School, Cambridge, on the cross benches after Mr Bell failed in his latest independent campaign for parliament.

But there is a silver lining for Dr Taylor - the former BBC war correspondent has given him his parliamentary secretary, who has 22 years' experience.

Dr Taylor said: "I'm very pleased that Martin, and his secretary, are going to ease my way in.

"I will have to sort myself out some offices at the Commons and I am still looking for a constituency secretary and office, so I hope people have a little patience with me!"

Mr Bell, who failed in his bid to become Brentwood's new MP, despite slashing the Tory Eric Pickles' majority to fewer than 3,000, said the Government would have to take notice of Dr Taylor.

He said: "They have got to pay Dr Taylor some attention because he's won a massive mandate from the people. This is not just a local issue.

"His victory encapsulates the failure to deliver on health care by all parties. This was a popular uprising."

Mr Bell emphasised there was a role for an independent MP in parliament but was unsure what reception Dr Taylor would receive.

Mr Bell, who defeated disgraced former Tory minister Neil Hamilton at Tatton in 1997, said: "I was in a different position when I arrived in the Commons. I had just ousted an unpopular Tory.

"I don't know how much hostility Dr Taylor will meet on the Government benches. I hope he won't. He knows there is a role for an independent in Parliament."

He added: "I know there are independent-minded Labour MPs who will be delighted to see Dr Taylor there."