Maldon MP Sir John Whittingdale reappointed as Culture Minister – as Dominic Raab resigns amid bullying investigation

By Ben Shahrabi 21st Apr 2023

Local News by Ben Shahrabi 21st Apr 2023

Sir John Whittingdale, MP for Maldon, has been appointed Minister of State at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for the next six months.

The local MP says he is "very happy" to have been asked to take on the role temporarily.

The announcement comes the same day as the publication of a damning report on the "unreasonably aggressive conduct" of now-former Deputy PM Dominic Raab, who announced his resignation this afternoon (April 21).

Sir John will take over from the current Culture Minister, Julia Lopez, while she is on maternity leave.

He previously served in the role from February 2020 until he was sacked by then-PM Boris Johnson in a cabinet reshuffle in September 2021. Before that, Sir John served as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport from May 2015 to July 2016.

Asked whether he could expect to stay in the role for longer, Sir John told Nub News: "Politics is hugely unpredictable.

"I didn't expect to be coming back for the third time. You just have to take on whatever you're asked to do.

"It's an area of policy in which I've spent a large part of my Parliamentary career - so it's a familiar role.

"I'm looking forward to the big challenges ahead."

Maldon MP Sir John Whittingdale was media minister for 18 months until September 2021.

Sir John says discussions about his temporary appointment began more than six months ago, but it was decided the announcement should be delayed when it seemed likely Dominic Raab would have to step down over 'bullying' allegations.

Over the next six months, Sir John is expected to oversee the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, the Draft Media Bill, and the Mid-Term Review of the BBC's Royal Charter.

Last year, Sir John told the House of Commons "we will still need public service broadcasting" in response to confirmation that the BBC's funding would be frozen for the next two years.