HARLOW MP Bill Rammell has moved to the Foreign Office to become Minister of State responsible for the Middle East.

He was formerly Minister of State at the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills responsible for Higher Education, Further Education and Lifelong Skills.

His portfolio will now include Miiddle East and North Africa, the Gulf States, Iran and Iraq, engagement with the Islamic World, drugs and international crime, counter terrorism, counter proliferation, UK visas, migration policy, North America, China, Japan and North and South Korea.

Mr Rammell said: “I’m delighted that the Prime Minister has asked me to take on the huge challenge of working as Minister of State for the Middle East. Foreign policy issues, such as securing peace in the Middle East, stemming the flow of illegal drugs to the UK and delivering effective migration policy are all things that connect directly with the interests of my constituents.

“My first priority, as it always has been, remains being a very active MP for my constituency in Harlow.”