The region’s last standing Tory MP has been given a job in the official opposition as minister for Crime, Policing and Fire.

Matt Vickers was the only Conservative in the North East and Teesside to hang on to his seat in the July 4 General Election.

The MP for Stockton West and deputy chairman of the Tory party has been appointed to the shadow ministerial role, meaning he will sit on the opposition front benches.

He previously expressed “huge disappointment” over his party’s wipeout in the region.

He says he has successfully fought for a new police base in West Stockton and served as a Parliamentary Secretary in the Home Office, as well as serving on the Home Affairs Select Committee and Public Order Bill Committee in the last five years.

Matt said: “I’m delighted to have been appointed Shadow Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire, and look forward to scrutinising the government on their approach to law and order.

“I am proud of my record in parliament, having successfully campaigned for mandatory life sentences for those responsible for the death of an emergency service worker whilst committing a crime, and tougher sentences for those who assault our retail workers.

“We now have more police on the streets of this country than ever before. Since 2019 we’ve put hundreds more police on Cleveland’s streets, secured a violence reduction unit and a huge cash boost through safer streets funding. Even more locally the introduction of a new Police Base in West Stockton will lower response times and improve visibility.

“I’m determined to ensure we have police with both the powers and resources to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour and that we have efficient, effective, properly equipped fire brigades able to tackle the risks and dangers posed to our communities.

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“I look forward to holding this new government to account and ensuring people’s concerns about law and order are heard and acted upon”.

Vickers beat Labour’s Joe Dancey in the Stockton West constituency by 2,139 votes.

It follows the appointment of several Labour politicians to Government roles including Houghton and Sunderland South MP Bridget Philipson as Education Secretary, with Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor MP Alan Strickland taking a junior role in her department.