Welsh Conservative MP Simon Hart has been appointed as Chief Whip, it has been confirmed. It comes as Rishi Sunak chooses his new cabinet after he was officially appointed as the new Prime Minister by King Charles on Tuesday.
After a private audience with the King, Mr Sunak returned to Downing Street to address the nation before looking to build a new Cabinet. He vowed to fix the "mistakes" of Liz Truss's leadership as he braced the nation for "difficult decisions" ahead. The freshly appointed Conservative leader warned the UK is facing a "profound economic crisis" in his first speech after being asked to form a Government by King Charles III.
Just before 4.30pm, Downing Street announced that Mr Hart, the former Wales Secretary who is MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, has been appointed Chief Whip. You can follow Mr Sunak's cabinet announcements live here.
Read more: Police called to Cardiff bar after group of women made 'transphobic comments and threats'
Simon Hart was previously the Secretary of State for Wales between December 16, 2019 and July 6, 2022. He was also previously Parliamentary Secretary (Minister for Implementation) at the Cabinet Office. He was elected Conservative MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire in May 2010.
As Chief Whip, Mr Hart is responsible for administering the whipping system that ensures party members attend and vote in Parliament as the party leadership desires. One of their responsibilities is making sure the maximum number of their party members vote, and vote the way their party wants.
A number of other positions have been confirmed, including Jeremy Hunt as Chancellor of the Exchequer and Dominic Raab as Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary. James Cleverly has also been re-appointed as Foreign Secretary.
READ NEXT:
