Mike Penning, MP for Hemel Hempstead, has expressed his delight at receiving a promotion in the Government reshuffle today. (Photo: www.yellowmelen.co.uk [1])

Mike is the new Minister of State for Northern Ireland. Minister of State is the “middle” of the three ranks of Government Minister and a step up from his former role of Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport.

Mike, who served as a Grenadier Guardsman in Northern Ireland during the height of the troubles in the 1970s, was offered the post by the Prime Minister at a meeting in Downing Street this afternoon.

Mike said:
“I am absolutely delighted and looking forward to many new challenges at the Northern Ireland Office.

“With my roots, having served in the province in the 1970s, I will be helping to fulfil the Good Friday peace agreement.”

“I have had a fantastic two and a half years at the Department for Transport and enjoyed my role immensely.

“I am now very much looking forward to my new job and am keen to make a start.”

| DeeTV interview [2]