Tory Peer Mr Patten, a vocal critic of Boris Johnson, accused the government of being “populist, but – fatally – without being popular”. The former Conservative Party chairperson also said “the words ‘Nadine Dorries’ and ‘culture’ should not appear in the same sentence” in a shovel at the Secretary of Culture.
Mr Patten’s belief led to ridicule from Tory MPs who circulated an image indicating that Ms Dorries’ book sales were higher than his.
A source close to the Secretary of Culture told Express.co.uk: “She is glad she does not have Patten’s level of popularity.”
Ms Dorries, who is one of the Prime Minister’s most loyal supporters, has written more than a dozen novels.
According to its publisher, the Secretary of Culture’s books have sold more than 2.5 million copies.
Meanwhile, Mr Patten has written a series of non-fiction books with his latest The Hong Kong Diaries released earlier this month.
The image shared by Tory MPs comes after the former BBC Trust chairman blew the government over its popularity.
Speaking to the Guardian earlier this month, Patten said: “What I have to say is that we do not have a Conservative government at all, but an English nationalist party that is populist but – fatally – without being popular. “
He also claimed that Brexit had “expelled” talent from the Tory party.
READ MORE: Lee Anderson, Brexit and Tory MP, answer YOUR questions
He told LBC: “Look at the words ‘Nadine Dorries’ and ‘culture’ should not appear in the same sentence.”
But Mr Patten’s remarks gave rise to accusations of “snoring” and “snobbery”.
Former Margaret Thatcher Assistant Nile Gardiner said: “Scandalous, derogatory remarks by Chris Patten. The arrogance and hubris displayed here is staggering.
“Nadine Dorries is ready to challenge the status quo with regard to the BBC, and the UK’s metropolitan elite – dominated and taxpayer – funded broadcasting landscape.”
Conservative academic Adrian Hilton added: “Terrible snobbery.”