Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan has replaced Dame Angela Eagle as minister of state for food security and rural affairs at Defra, as prime minister Sir Keir Starmer reshuffles his ministers.
Downing Street announced the appointment on Friday, after Dame Angela was appointed as security minister, serving in the Home Office and Cabinet Office, following the promotion of Dan Jarvis to defence minister. This, in turn, followed the resignation of Defence secretary John Healey and armed forces minister Al Carns over what they claimed was insufficient plans to raise defence spending.
Mr Morgan, who describes himself on his Instagram page as ‘Pompey born and bred’, said he was delighted to take up the role.
“Being asked by the prime minister to serve our country in this role is an immense privilege,” he said.
“My focus will be clear: driving a green economy, protecting our natural environment and ensuring our rural and coastal communities truly thrive.”
Since entering Parliament in 2017, his ministerial and shadow ministerial experience has focused on education, rail, defence procurement, the armed forces and local government rather than agriculture or rural affairs.