Fit for the job: Bill Wiggin ran the London Marathon in 2002

Bill Wiggin, who was appointed earlier this week by new Tory leader Michael Howard, was speaking on his first visit to the Welsh assembly in his new role.

Mr Wiggin, 37, said he felt Wales should have a voice at the Cabinet table, but would not comment on whether the assembly should have more powers.

The downgrading of the shadow Welsh Secretary role and the appointment of Leominster MP Mr Wiggin, who was born in London, have both caused controversy this week.

Former Tory Welsh secretary Nigel Evans resigned on Monday when he was told the post was being cut from the shadow cabinet.

The Conservative party was accused of hypocrisy by Labour after Tory criticism of the prime minister's decision last June to combine Peter Hain's position as Welsh secretary with his new role as leader of the Commons.

Bill Wiggin was a member of the Welsh affairs select committee

At the time, the Conservatives accused the government of downgrading Wales.

Meanwhile a leading Plaid Cymru MP has questioned Mr Wiggin's qualifications to take up the Welsh role.

Plaid Cymru parliamentary leader Elfyn Llwyd said: "I'm sure that most people in Wales will be asking the same question as me: Bill who?"

On Thursday, Mr Wiggin was welcomed to the Welsh assembly by the leader of the Welsh conservatives Nick Bourne.

Mr Wiggin said the Tory party had turned a corner under Michael Howard, and that, because he is not in the shadow cabinet, he will have more time to concentrate on campaigning in Wales.

He added there should be a referendum on whether the Welsh assembly should be given more powers.

"I believe in asking the Welsh people; that's the best way forward," he said.

Mr Wiggin lives in his constituency of Leominster, in Herefordshire

Mr Wiggin, who studied at the University College of North Wales, Bangor and served with the Royal Welch Fusiliers in the Territorial Army, also replied to those who questioned his credentials to be Shadow Welsh Secretary.

"People keep telling me there is a problem because I was born in London," he said.

"But it's whether you actually care about Wales that's important."

In his new role Mr Wiggin will report to the new shadow secretary of state for local and devolved government, David Curry.

Mr Wiggin, who served with the Royal Welch Fusiliers in the Territorial Army and served on the Welsh affairs select committee of the House of Commons.

The Conservatives do not have any MPs in Wales, but do have 11 AMs.