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Boris Johnson appoints MP for Tunbridge Wells Greg Clark as Levelling Up Secretary to replace Michael Gove

Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark is set to be unveiled as the country's new levelling up secretary.

The former business minister will take over the reins from Michael Gove who was sacked from the post late last night.

It comes as the Prime Minister faces a fresh wave of ministerial resignations following a backlash over numerous scandals, most recently his handling of former deputy chief whip Chris Pincher and allegations of sexual assault.

Boris Johnson will appoint new ministers today despite plans to step down.

He tendered his resignation earlier today and will stay on in the top job in a caretaker capacity until the Autumn.

Greg Clark, who has served as Conservative MP for Tunbridge Wells since 2005, will takeover the role of Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

The Kent MP has served as a government minister for nine years, five in cabinet, including most recently as Business Secretary.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to resign.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to resign.

Despite several portfolios in recent years Mr Clark has at times been a critic of the government, most recently for its handling of the Coronavirus crisis, calling their approach to testing inadequate and lacing transparency.

Mr Clark represents one of the safest Conservative seats in Kent with a majority of 16,465.

He did not respond to requests for comment when news of the 'BYOB' Downing Street party scandal broke and has remained silent on subsesquent approaches over calls for the Prime Minister to go.

His last appearance in the House of Commons saw him call on then Health Secretary Sajid Javid to intervene in the local NHS branch.

Mr Clark made reference to the fact that all seven urgent care centres in Kent are based at least 33 miles away from his Tunbridge Wells constituency, the nearest being in Swanscombe.

Born in Middlesbrough, Mr Clark went on to study economics at Cambridge University and was awarded a PhD at the London School of Economics.

Before being elected to Parliament in 2005, the Kent MP worked for the Boston Consulting Group and as the BBC's head of Commercial Policy, and was director of policy for the Conservative Party.

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