Boris Johnson appoints Mark Spencer as chief whip

Boris Johnson has appointed Mark Spencer as the government's chief whip.

The Sherwood MP was appointed in May 2010 and is the very first cabinet member to be appointed by the new Prime Minister.

Mark will be formally given his title on Wednesday when Theresa May hands in her notice to the Queen.

The newly appointed chief whip exclusively announced his backing for Boris to the Advertiser in the last few weeks as he attended hustings with top Tories across the UK.

Boris Johnson is due to announce the rest of his cabinet within the next few days after going head-to-head with rival Jeremy Hunt, who may be kicked out the government as foreign secretary.

Coming from a farming background, Mark originally campaigned for remain in the 2016 EU referendum but will now carry out responsibilities for Boris's Brexit.

This includes enforcing collective responsibility within the Conservative Party to ensure all MPs vote with and support the government.

Meanwhile, MP for Newark, Robert Jenrick, has announced his "delight" with the appointment of Boris Johnson.

Robert told the Advertiser: "Now we must unite the party and the country to deliver Brexit on October 31 and then the positive policies he has campaigned on.

"From levelling up education funding, investing in the infrastructure of the Midlands and the north and keeping our streets safe with more police. Boris will bring optimism and confidence back to the country at last."

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