Cameron snubs backbench promotion fears after reshuffle

David Cameron has rebuffed anger from the backbenches at the reshuffle forced by Liam Fox's resignation and is celebrating the result, the Standard has learned.

Right-wingers are dismayed that Dr Fox was not replaced with one of their own while male MPs feel their promotion chances have been scotched by a desire to promote women. Justine Greening was promoted to Transport Secretary with her old job taken by Chloe Smith, 29, who has only been an MP since 2009.

A Whitehall source close to the Prime Minister said: "Last month's mini-reshuffle went well. It was all done with far less fuss than the chaotic Blair and Brown reshuffles."

There are also fears that the Prime Minister will hold only one major reshuffle before the next general election, dashing the ambitions of many Conservatives.