Northumberland MP loses role as pensions minister

Hexham MP Guy Opperman has said he will be focused on his constituency and his new baby after he was ‘relieved of his duties’ on the day of the Queen’s death.

Mr Opperman posted a statement on Monday saying he had respected the national mourning period, but now was the right time to thank colleagues for their support in his seven years as a minister – firstly as a Government Whip and then Minister for Pensions and Financial Inclusions.

The MP, who was first elected in 2010, wrote: “The leadership contest is over, and the new team, and new PM, is entitled to choose their personnel to take matters forward.

“My successor, and the new government team, will have my full support. I believe I have the best job in the world representing the amazing Hexham constituency, and I will continue to fight for our community here.

“There is more to do for this great area, and I look forward to continuing that work from the backbenches in Westminster, and locally.”

Mr Opperman pointed to some of the department’s achievements during his time in office, including a 46% increase in the number of young people and women in a workplace pension scheme, the passing of the Pensions Schemes Act and the fact that the state pension has never been higher.

Labour MP Karl Turner, who represents Hull East, paid tribute to Mr Opperman via social media.

He tweeted: “Politics aside. Very capable minister. Competent, capable, and actually cares. Too few of them left in this Tory Government. Sorry to see Guy Opperman leave Government before the next general election.”

In July, Mr Opperman resigned from his position and said he and colleagues had been left with “no choice” but to resign in order to force Boris Johnson’s resignation as Prime Minister. However, he agreed to return to his post just hours later following Mr Johnson’s resignation.

In August, Mr Opperman and his wife Flora Coleman Opperman welcomed a son, Christopher, to their family, two years after the couple lost newborn twins Rafe and Teddy in June 2020.