Hampshire MP named new Chief Whip (From Daily Echo)

Sir George Young to replace Andrew Mitchell in Government role

8:22pm Friday 19th October 2012 in News By Jon Reeve, Education Reporter

Sir George Young

HAMPSHIRE MP Sir George Young has tonight been appointed as the Government's new Chief Whip.

It comes after Andrew Mitchell earlier bowed to mounting pressure for him to resign, after an incident in which he has admitted swearing at a Downing Street police officer.

Sir George, who represents North West Hampshire, had lost his previous role as Leader of the House of Commons in last month's Cabinet reshuffle.

It was thought that had signalled the end of his front bench politics.

But the aristocrat has now taken over as Chief Whip after Mr Mitchell quit following the row over his alleged use of the word "pleb" during an argument with a PC.

The appointment avert the need for Prime Minister David Cameron to make any further changes because Sir George does not currently hold a ministerial post.

The Tory grandee was thought to have retired to the backbenches after giving up his position as Leader of the House - which he had held since 2010 - to make way for former health secretary Andrew Lansley.

Sir George has been an MP since 1974. He was an opposition whip under Margaret Thatcher before she entered Downing Street in 1979. He also had a short spell in the government whips office in 1990.

He held a variety of ministerial posts in the 1980s and 1990s, ending up as transport secretary in 1995.