Hurd named minister for police and fire

Mr Hurd has been handed the junior minister role in the Home Office following his predecessor Brandon Lewis’ promotion to being a full cabinet minister. Hurd is no stranger to cabinet roles as in November 2015 he was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for international development following the resignation of Grant Shapps MP. In July 2016, he was appointed Minister of State with responsibility for Industry and Climate change at the newly created Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

He has also spent time in the shadow cabinet as Opposition Whip until his appointment as Shadow Minister for Charities, Social Enterprise and Volunteering in October 2008. Hurd is the son of Conservative Life Peer Lord Douglas Hurd who served as foreign secretary under Margret Thatcher. He is the fourth generation of his family to be elected as an MP and has served in the House of Commons since 2005.

The 55-year-old expressed his delight on Twitter to becoming the new minister for fire and police, he said: “Honoured to be asked by the PM to be Minister of State for Policing and the Fire Service. Vitally important services for us all.”

His predecessor, Mr Lewis was only appointed minister for police and fire by home secretary Amber Rudd in July last year. It was the second time he held the post as fire minister having previously been in the role from 2012-2014 while working in the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales Steve White has underlined the need for constructive engagement with the new minister to deliver the positive change so desperately needed for UK policing. He said: “There has never been a greater need for tangible change and investment in the police service. This will no doubt be a baptism of fire for Mr Hurd in light of the current climate, but time is of the essence.

“We hope to establish a healthy and productive relationship that will see positive, progressive steps to better protect our officers and the public.

“We cannot deliver what we used to deliver. With safety and security now at the forefront of the people’s minds, it’s more important than ever to make sure officers are sufficiently supported to get the job done. This includes the right equipment, legislation, and improved pay and conditions that suitably support and reflect the dangerous job they do every day.

“I am seeking a meeting with Mr Hurd at the earliest opportunity to discuss these important issues in detail.”