Stephen Byers' popularity appears to have plummeted in the wake of the series of crises that have beset the transport secretary.

According to an ICM opinion poll Mr Byers is more unpopular than Margaret Thatcher was at low points during her time at Number 10.

Ms Moore's notorious email put Mr Byers in the spotlight

The poll suggests that Mr Byers' rating is minus 49 points.

That compares with the government's most popular figure, Chancellor Gordon Brown, who has a plus 45 approval rating.

Prime Minister Tony Blair meanwhile has a more modest rating of plus six points.

A year ago Mr Byers was rated at plus 11 points but it seems, if the polls are correct, that events have conspired to make him deeply unpopular.

From the moment he decided to stand by spin doctor Jo Moore after the leaking of her now notorious email on 11 September Mr Byers has seldom been able to achieve a positive press.

The poll, published in the Guardian newspaper, suggests that even among Labour voters Mr Byers has a minus 25 rating.

Tory revival?

The negative press that has surrounded the transport secretary may be having an impact on the popularity of the Labour government just a year after they won their second landslide victory.

Iain Duncan Smith's Conservatives now have the backing of 34% of voters - up five points.

Labour are on 42%, down three points, with the Liberal Democrats on 19% - up one point.

The prime minister's rating has slumped from positive 42 points, when he strode the world stage at the height of the war in Afghanistan.

Mr Brown's popularity meanwhile might be explained by his last Budget and by the continuing economic prosperity being enjoyed by many voters.