MALDON’S MP has said he wouldn’t rule himself out of accepting a cabinet role if approached by Liz Truss.

John Whittingdale has said he would take on a ministerial role if asked after Ms Truss became the UK’s new Prime Minister.

Speaking to BBC Essex, the MP was asked his opinion on the incoming Prime Minister, who he backed during the leadership campaign.

He said: “She is a radical reformer, which I think we need.

“She represents the kind of values I believe in, and I think her determination to confront orthodoxy, to have quite a radical agenda, is necessary at this time.”

With speculation surrounding fellow Essex MPs James Cleverly and Kemi Badenoch over cabinet positions, Mr Whittingdale was asked if he is aiming for a top job.

The Maldon MP said: “Politics is unpredictable. I didn’t necessarily expect to go into Government last time or indeed the second time.

“If asked to do something, I will do.

“I’ve got a number of jobs I’m doing at the moment.

“I’m a trade envoy to Korea, I’ve just come back from there. I lead the UK delegation to the OSCE with at this present time is very important, so I’ve got quite a lot going on and I enjoy representing Maldon.

“I do think that all MPs are going to have huge challenges in trying to protect our constituents as much as we can from what is going to be a very difficult couple of years.”