DARTFORD MP Dr Howard Stoate has been promoted to the Home Office.

He has been appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Rt Hon John Denham MP, Minister of State at the Home Office responsible for the police.

Dr Stoate said: “Having spoken to hundreds of local people in the last few months, I know how important law and order issues are to our community.

“The agenda for the next session at the Home Office is clear. Tackling crime is the top priority. We want to enable the police to deliver a professional, well managed and well trained service to the communities they serve.”