Former Newbury MP Lord Richard Benyon appointed Defra minister for Rural Affairs and Biosecurity

FORMER Newbury MP Lord Richard Benyon is back in politics having been named a Defra minister.

Lord Benyon was appointed parliamentary under secretary of state (minister for rural affairs and biosecurity) last week, following Lord Gardiner of Kimble's appointment to senior deputy speaker of the House of Lords.

Lord Benyon said he was delighted to be returning to Defra, "a department filled with inspiring and dedicated people and joining a great ministerial team".

His responsibilities include ministerial lead for Covid-19 Defra issues, biosecurity strategy, and the management of endemic and exotic animal diseases, including bovine TB policy.

Food labelling, as well as food supply, security and resilience are included in the brief, along with National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, rights of way and coastal paths.

Lord Benyon was the Conservative MP for Newbury from 2005 to 2019, when he decided to stand down.

He served as minister for the natural environment, water and rural affairs in David Cameron's government until 2013.

He was one of 21 MPs to rebel against the Government over Brexit in 2019, and had the party whip removed for backing efforts to pass legislation to block a no-deal Brexit.

He was made a Lord in January and held trustee, board member and advisory roles at various environmental groups, including River Action and the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust.