Portsmouth North MP Penny Mordaunt gets new minister role while Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage swaps departments

Portsmouth North MP Penny Mordaunt is returning to the government as Paymaster General after Boris Johnson’s reshuffle.

The ministerial role involves being officially responsible for making government payments.

Ms Mordaunt was sacked six months ago by the prime minister after serving as Secretary of State for Defence from May until July 2019.

Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage is swapping her role as minister of state in the department of health and social care for minister of digital, culture, media and sport.

She congratulated Faversham and Mid Kent MP Helen Whately who will take on the health minister role.

Ms Dinenage tweeted: ‘After 2 amazing years at @DHSCgovuk, I’m off to face big new challenges at @DCMS.

Huge thanks to all the inspiring, incredible people it’s been an honour to meet & work with along the way. The toughest & yet the best of jobs. Excited for the journey ahead but will miss you all.’

It comes after it was announced Fareham MP Suella Braverman was appointed Attorney General.

The barrister, who studied law at Cambridge University, the Sorbonne and New York City University, has previously represented the government on the Attorney General’s Treasury Panel.

She will replace Geoffrey Cox, who had served in the role since July 2018.

Mrs Braverman said: ‘I am honoured to be appointed as Attorney General for England and Wales and look forward to working with the many excellent government lawyers and officials.

‘I want to thank my predecessor Geoffrey Cox QC MP for leaving me with such a strong record to build upon.

‘One of my first priorities is to continue the Government’s work in rebuilding confidence in our justice system, particularly with victims.

‘I am proud to be joining the Attorney General’s Office, a unique and historic government department that makes law and politics work together at the heart of the UK constitution.’