RAYLEIGH and Wickford MP Mark Francois has been made a Minister... for Portsmouth.

The Tory MP, who retained his seat with a huge majority last Thursday, has been given the title of Minister for Portsmouth to sit alonside his new role in the Department of Communities and Local Government.

He previously served as a Minister for the Armed Forces.

Portsmouth is the only city in the country that has a dedicated minister, which was created in 2014 after the government moved shipbuilding to Scotland.

Whitehall says his post will dovetail with his responsibilities for Coastal Communities in his new department, and Mr Francois said he plans to visit Portsmouth in the ‘near future’.

He said: “As my late father served in the Royal Navy, I am delighted to be appointed as Minister for Portsmouth.

“Having spent time at the Ministry of Defence, including as Armed Forces Minister, I have visited Portsmouth on a number of occasions and am well aware of the city’s importance to both the economy and the Royal Navy.

“I plan to visit the city in the near future and am determined to champion its cause across government.”