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Tonbridge and Malling MP Tom Tugendhat appointed Minister of State for Security by Liz Truss

07:46, 07 September 2022

updated: 14:21, 07 September 2022

A Kent MP has been given a government job in the latest cabinet reshuffle.

Liz Truss became the new Prime Minister yesterday after beating Rishi Sunak in the Tory leadership contest.

Liz Truss is the new prime minister. Picture: (Rob Pinney/PA)
Liz Truss is the new prime minister. Picture: (Rob Pinney/PA)

Following her maiden speech, Ms Truss began forming her new cabinet with Kwasi Kwarteng being named chancellor of the exchequer and Thérèse Coffey becoming secretary of state for health and social care.

Tom Tugendhat, who competed to be the new leader of the party but was eliminated in the third round of voting, has also been given a position.

He is the new minister of state for security in the home department and will attend cabinet.

It was widely speculated that the Tonbridge and Malling MP would be offered this role or one in the foreign office.

Mr Tugendhat has chaired the Foreign Affairs Select Committee since 2017.

Tom Tugendhat is the new minister of state for security. Picture: Andy Jones
Tom Tugendhat is the new minister of state for security. Picture: Andy Jones

The former soldier is well regarded across all parties and swung behind Liz Truss in the recent election.

He hailed Ms Truss as a “firm leader” who could unite the party. The former soldier also said the Foreign Secretary's promises of tax cuts are based on “true Conservative principles”.

Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clarke was appointed the Levelling Up minister in July replacing Michael Gove.

He was previously Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy from July 2016 to July 2019.

But under the reshuffle he no longer holds this position.

Reacting to the news, Mr Clarke said: "It’s been such a privilege to be at the helm these last eight weeks.

"Thanks to superb teams of ministers, civil servants, colleagues in local govt and partners in business & voluntary sector we’ve done the job and delivered a lot more besides.

"I’ve enjoyed it enormously."

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