‘Local farmer’ becomes latest Defra appointment

He will take his place alongside Secretary of State Caroline Spelman and Agriculture Minister Jim Paice, both of whom also have extensive experience in the industry, at Nobel House.

It is understood Lord Henley, a former Shadow Home Affair Minister will also join the team, although both appointments were yet to be confirmed at 6.30pm on Friday (May 14).

The appointments mean Defra is so far an all Conservative Ministerial team within David Cameron’s new Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition Government. It is unclear whether there will be any further Ministerial appointments.

Mr Benyon, who will carry the title of Parliamentary Under-Secretary, was a Shadow Defra spokesman before the election. Prior to that he was a Party Whip, while he has also served on the Home Affairs Select Committee.

He was elected as the Conservative MP for Newbury in 2005, winning the seat at the third attempt.

A former soldier and a founder Trustee of the charity Help for Heroes, he takes a great interest in defence issues and the welfare of servicemen and their families, according to his website. Other special interests include, ‘Africa, particularly Zimbabwe, Northern Ireland and of course, rural affairs’.

Oliver Henley, Lord Henley, was one of 92 hereditary peers elected by peers to remain in the House in 1999.

He served as a House of Lords whip under the Thatcher Government and has held various Ministerial and Shadow posts over the past two decades.  

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