All : New faces for South Atlantic British Overseas Territories after Cabinet Reshuffle
Submitted by (Juanita Brock) 15.09.2012 (Article Archived on 29.09.2012)

THE Foreign and Commonwealth Office has released details of Mark Simmonds’ new role in the Government. The Boston and Skegness MP has been appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State as part of David Cameron’s reshuffle.

New faces for South Atlantic British Overseas Territories after Cabinet Reshuffle

By J. Brock (FINN)

THE Foreign and Commonwealth Office has released details of Mark Simmonds’ new role in the Government.  The Boston and Skegness MP has been appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State as part of David Cameron’s reshuffle.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said that Mr Simmonds’ responsibilities in the role will include  Africa, Overseas Territories (not Falklands, Sovereign Base Areas or Gibraltar) Conflict Issues, Climate Change, International Energy, Consular Protocol, Ministerial Oversight for FCO Services and The Caribbean (not including Dominican Republic, Haiti or Cuba)  He is still being briefed on his new responsibilities.

Mr Simmonds had been a member of the shadow health team when the Conservative Party was in opposition but missed out on a role in the coalition government after the 2010 General Election.

The party loyalist has today (Wednesday) been rewarded with a role at the Foreign Office as part of the Government reshuffle.

Justine Greening has been named as Inter­national Development Secretary; Baroness Warsi, who was co-chairman of the Conservative Party, has been appointed Senior Minister for Faith and Communities.  Lynne Featherstone, who was Equalities Minister has moved to a post at the Department for International Development (DFID).  Justine Greening, who was Transport Secretary, has replaced Andrew Mitchell as International Development Secretary.

Chris Grayling has been appointed Justice Secretary replacing Ken Clarke, who is now Minister without Portfolio.