Coffey ‘delighted’ to retain Defra post

Thérèse Coffey has said she is “delighted to be continuing as Environment Minister”.

Her comments came in the wake of the conclusion of a reshuffle of senior and junior politicians in government by Prime Minister Theresa May yesterday (9 January).

Defra minister Therese Coffey

Dr Coffey is MP for Suffolk Coastal and holds the air quality brief among her portfolio at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Reshuffle

Her remaining in post is seen as something of a surprise as environment ministers have often been moved on, often after just a year in the job. However, with a higher level of environmental pressure on government at present, the Prime Minister is seen as wanting to ensure stability at Defra, which also has Michael Gove remaining as Secretary of State.

Dr Coffey will continue in the Department alongside George Eustice, MP for Camborne and Redruth, and Lord Gardiner of Kimble, both of whom had served within Defra since 2013 and 2016 respectively.

Delighted to be reappointed as Environment Minister today

– Therese Coffey (@theresecoffey) January 9, 2018