Kemi Badenoch makes first senior appointment as Tory leader

Kemi Badenoch has made her first senior appointment as the new Conservative Party leader.

It is understood that Rebecca Harris, MP for the Essex constituency of Castle Point, will be the party's chief whip - replacing Stuart Andrew.

Mr Andrew wrote on the X social media platform: "It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as the Conservative Party Chief Whip.

"She [Harris] is a great friend and a brilliant whip. I wish her all the best in the role."

The announcement comes a day after Ms Badenoch beat Robert Jenrick to replace Rishi Sunak as the party's leader.

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The 44-year-old North West Essex MP did not immediately announce who would make up her top team, but suggested all of those who ran against her in the leadership should be involved.

However, former Foreign Secretary James Cleverly revealed the day before the result that he would be returning to the backbenches.

Dame Rebecca, 56, has been the MP for Castle Point since May 2010 and supported the Leave campaign during the 2016 Brexit referendum.

She was also Comptroller of the Household between July 2022 and July 2024 - an ancient and largely ceremonial role handed to a government whip.

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