Northampton North MP lands top legal job in government...until autumn, at least

Northampton MP Michael Ellis says he is "honoured" to assume the role of the county's top legal eagle while his boss becomes the first Cabinet member to take maternity leave.

Mr Ellis, was today confirmed in the role of Attorney General until the autumn with Suella Braverman due to give birth in the next few weeks.

He said: “I am honoured to be appointed as Attorney General for England and Wales while Suella Braverman is on maternity leave.

"I look forward to working with the many excellent lawyers and officials to play my part in making law and politics work together at the heart of the UK constitution. I wish Suella well on her maternity leave.”

Ms Braverman was only able to take time off from her ministerial position after the Ministerial and Other Maternity Allowances Act was passed by Parliament on Monday.

Before the passage of the legislation she would have had to resign if she wanted to take time off with her baby.

Boris Johnson appointed Mr Ellis Solicitor General in July 2019 following stints as a transport minister and as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport from January 2018 to May 2019.

The the former barrister was also Deputy Leader of the House of Commons from 17 July 2016 to 8 January 2018.

Mr Ellis won Northampton North for the Tories in May 2010, overturning a 4,000 majority to defeat long-standing MP Sally Keeble.

He retained the seat in 2015 and again in 2017 — albeit with a vastly reduced majority — before winning the 2019 'Brexit' Election by 5,507 votes.

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