Cotswold Tory MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown has been appointed head of the Conservative party’s International Office.

His new job will involve liaising with politicians from "friendly" countries.

"These will include America, some of our European neighbours, India and a whole host of African countries", he said this afternoon.

"Clearly, the Prime Minister has recognised I have the experience and skills to benefit this particular role. I have a host of foreign affairs experience and will be working very closely with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary"

Mr Clifton-Brown, aged 57, is also chair of the House of Commons selection committee which appoints membership of various law-making and Select committees, which examine specific issues. Before the General Election in May, he was Shadow Minister for Trade & Foreign Affairs until 2007 when he became Shadow Minister for International Trade and Development.

He has been MP for the area since 1992. His majority at the last election was 12,864.