Ashfield MP Lee Anderson appointed as Conservative Party's new deputy chairman

Mr Sunak has made new appointments to his cabinet following the sacking of the former party chairman Nadhim Zahawi.

Mr Zahawi was sacked from his previous role for multiple breaches of the ministerial code after he failed to properly declare details of his tax arrangements.

Mr Sunak has since carried out a small cabinet reshuffle to fill Mr Zahawi's post, as well as to make changes to the way in which some Government departments are organised.

The new appointments announced today, January 7, included the promotion of Greg Hands, who is now the Conservative Party chairman.

But Mr Sunak also announced that Ashfield’s own Lee Anderson would be made the Conservative Party's deputy chairman.

Chairman and deputy chairs of the Conservative Party are responsible for overseeing its administration and for handling specific aspects of its management.

The appointment is the first role given to Mr Anderson by the Prime Minister since has was elected as Ashfield's MP at the 2019 general election.

Mr Anderson said: “I am extremely grateful to have a great relationship with the Conservative Membership, and as the deputy chairman of the party I will continue to get the message out that the only party that should have the keys to Downing Street is the Conservative Party.

“Thank you to all the people who have supported me over the last three years and who continue to support me.

“I will be taking my new role really seriously working seven days a week, 12 hours a day. It is a real honour to be on this journey from pit to Parliament.”

The news comes as the MP has also been re-selected to stand for Ashfield parliamentary seat at the next general election.

Mr Anderson posted on social media: “Nobody is perfect, but this job of mine is perfect for me. I look forward to fighting the next general election as the only born and bred Ashfield MP has ever had.”