“They say a week is a long time in politics and this has proven never more true than in the past few days.
This afternoon I have been pleased to have accepted an invitation from the Prime Minister to join the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) team as a Minister.
The Prime Minister will remain in post until the leadership contest within the Conservative Party to decide his successor concludes in the Autumn.
In the mean time the apparatus of Government needs to continue to run, and the expectation is the new Leader will be appointed soon after the Summer. I am honoured to accept the offer to serve, and ensure the continued smooth running of this important department.
This Department has many links to Cornwall and during my time as Member of Parliament for St Austell and Newquay I have worked with DEFRA officials and previous Ministerial colleagues on a number of issues.
I look forward to working with the DEFRA Ministerial team and officials over the coming months for the benefit of the UK and for Cornwall.”