Stockton MP Matt Vickers has announced this evening on Twitter that he has been appointed the deputy chairman of the Conservative Party.

The MP for Stockton South said he was “delighted” to be sharing the news in a statement on the social media site.

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Representing Stockton will always be the MP's top priority, he said, adding that the role “will allow me to support elected reps, members and activists, support campaigns and deliver on the people's priorities.”

The news comes after Richmond MP Rishi Sunak launched his bid to become Prime Minister following Boris Johnson’s resignation.

However, it’s far from plain sailing for the former Chancellor as Boris Johnson loyalists have moved oppose him.

Heavy-weight Torys have been quick to back Mr Sunak however, such as Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps.

Peter Gibson, MP for Darlington, has backed the former Chancellor’s campaign, claiming he had been “a tireless champion for our levelling up agenda in Darlington and Teesside.”

Meanwhile, Labour MPs criticised the MP reminding supporters that he “broke the law during lockdown, flouting the very rules his own Government brought in.”

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Andy McDonald, MP for Middlesbrough, said a new leader will “not make a jot of difference to people living with the consequences of the cost of living crisis.”

Alex Cunningham, Labour MP for Stockton North, argued that every step of the way Mr Sunak had “propped up his law-breaking leader.”

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