MP Johnny Mercer quits 拢85k job to fulfil minister's role

Image source, PA

Image caption, Johnny Mercer has been appointed as minister for defence families and veterans

MP Johnny Mercer is giving up a second job which pays him an 拢85,000 salary for 20 hours work a month, to allow him to become a government minister.

The Plymouth Moor View MP is a non-executive director of Crucial Academy, which trains veterans to work in the cyber security industry.

The firm was linked to a company which marketed a bond scheme that collapsed owing more than 拢200m to investors.

The Conservative MP has given up the role in line with the Ministerial Code.

that "ministers must ensure that no conflict arises, or could reasonably be perceived to arise, between their public duties and their private interests, financial or otherwise".

Mr Mercer, a former Army officer, was recently appointed as Minister for Defence People and Veterans as part of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's reshuffle.

Part of his role is to oversee the running a new Office for Veterans' Affairs that aims to provide lifelong support to military personnel.