Ms Dorries, a best-selling novelist, has been a vocal critic of the corporation, labelling it "left wing" and claiming it "hounded" pensioners over the licence fee.

       Her appointment by Boris Johnson sparked vicious criticism from opponents who questioned why she had been given the job.

       But Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: "She's sold thousands and thousands of books and if that isn't part of culture, media and sport I don't know what is." He added: "She produces culture people actually want to see rather than some of the more crackpot schemes we've seen funded with taxpayers' money."

       Ms Dorries has backed the decriminalisation of nonpayment of the TV licence fee and has accused the Beeb of being "badly managed".

       But a No 10 spokesman insisted she is not planning on going to war with the BBC, adding the Government "wants public service broadcasters to thrive".

       Mr Johnson continued his reshuffle yesterday. Brexiteer Penny Mordaunt moved to the Department for International Trade, while Culture Minister John Whittingdale was sacked.

       No 10 also said Dominic Raab will play an "important senior role", despite his demotion from Foreign Secretary to head the justice department.