Former Defence Secretary Lord Reid of Cardowan told MPs he developed a reputation as a political "hard man" only because he had a Glasgow accent.

The former Labour MP yesterday insisted the nickname had been inappropriate as he gave evidence to a House of Commons committee investigating the impact of cabinet reshuffles.

Lord Reid, who has a PhD in economic history, told members of the political and constitutional reform committee that his upbringing and background led to the way he was perceived.

He also went on to contrast his treatment with that of politicians who had been privately educated.

"If you go to a certain type of school and have three O-levels in basket weaving you are seen as an intellectual," he said.

"But if you have a Phd and a Glasgow accent you are immediately classed as a hard man."

Lord Reid also denied he had been at odds with the civil service when he was in charge of the Home Office in the middle of the past decade.

At the time the Scottish MP became famous for denouncing the department as "not fit for purpose".

But Lord Reid told MPs the comment in fact showed he was in tune with his officials, as the phrase had first been used to him by the top civil servant in the Home Office itself.

The former Airdrie and Shotts MP held eight cabinet positions in all during Labour's reign, including serving as Scottish Secretary, Northern Ireland Secretary, Health Secretary and Home Secretary, as well as holding the defence portfolio.