A SUCCESSFUL young author has caused a stir by expressing her admiration for Iain Duncan Smith on her website.

Fantasy novel writer Alex Bell is just 23 years-old but has already had three books published - including her critically acclaimed work, The Ninth Circle.

In a blog published yesterday Ms Bell - who also wrote the books Jasmyn, and Lex Trent Versus The Gods - took the unusual step of defending the Woodford Green MP's performance as the former Tory leader during a debate on the Iraq War in 2003.

She said: "The vast majority of people who go into politics do so because of a desire to do some good. They are amazingly hard working people who have to work exceedingly long hours. And yet people just love to hate ‘em.

"Being 2003, Iraq was high on the agenda and, in fact, John Reid and Iain Duncan Smith were saying more or less the same thing on this issue.

"Imagine my astonishment, therefore, when John Reid was earnestly applauded by the audience, and Iain Duncan Smith was enthusiastically booed - even though they were both saying the exact same thing.

"It was as if people were so set on disagreeing with Duncan Smith that they did not even hear what he was saying. They began to boo even before he had finished his first sentence. In fact, as soon as he came on the stage, people started jeering and holding up signs mocking the 'quiet man'.

"I realised then that it didn't actually matter what Iain Duncan Smith said to us, he was never going to receive applause. What a truly sorry state of affairs. I was ashamed to be part of such an audience. I must say, though, that he handled it all with extraordinary grace and eloquence, and even though I am a staunch Labour supporter, I was terribly impressed and wrote him an extremely gushing letter when I got home."

For the full version of the blog visit Alex Bell's website at: alex-bell.co.uk.