Penny Mordaunt takes job advising one of world’s largest tobacco firms

Penny Mordaunt’s role was revealed by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments, which said she should not to lobby the government for two years after leaving office. Photograph: Ian Forsyth/Getty Images

Penny Mordaunt has taken a job advising one of the world’s biggest tobacco companies on “harm reduction”.

The former Conservative leadership contender, who served in cabinet roles from defence secretary to leader of the House of Commons, will advise British American Tobacco’s (BAT) “transformation advisory group” in a paid role, after losing her seat in parliament last year.