COULD it be that David Lock's Ministerial career is not dead and buried after all?

The very suggestion would have bought howls of laughter in the wake of his General Election hammering by Dr Richard Taylor.

The former junior Minister in the Lord Chancellor's department had - it was widely assumed on the streets of Kidderminster - clutched his last red box.

But Mr Lock, still only 41, is now well on the way to political rehabilitation - after landing a plum post working with the Government in the fight against crime.

Chairman

Last week he was named the new Chairman for the Service Authorities for the National Criminal Intelligence Service and the National Crime Squad by Home Secretary David Blunkett.

He will be charged with maintaining the two organisations and making sure they are "efficient" and "effective".

And if he does a good job, a seat in the reformed House of Lords may not be out of the question, according to Westminster gossips.

(If that were to happen, a job as one of the Government's Minister in the Lords would certainly not be beyond the realms of possibility.

Now, there is no suggestion Mr Lock has even given this scenario a second thought.

But it is worth considering that - in stark contrast to the views of the voters who booted Mr Lock from his seat - it is tough to find anyone at Westminster who has a bad word to say about him.

Experience

Of his new job, Mr Blunkett said: "David Lock will bring considerable experience to the job as a barrister with wide experience of legal and criminal matters."

Even Dr Taylor said: "I'm absolutely delighted that he has got a good job to go on to which is right up his street.

"I wish him all the best and have not got any ill-feelings towards him whatsoever."

This can only stand him in good stead and stranger things have happened in politics than Mr Lock getting a call from Downing Street.

If he does, remember you read it here first. If not, blame the gossips...