A Yorkshire MP whose biography claims that he supports both Manchester United and Bradford City was today confirmed as the successor to Richard Caborn as Minister for Sport.
Gerry Sutcliffe, MP for Bradford South, a constituency which includes Bradford Park Avenue and the Bradford Bulls, was confirmed in the junior ministerial role by No10 this morning, in the final tranche of appointments by new Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
This morning, on his own website’s section for the MP’s views on various issues of national and local importance, Sutcliffe expressed virtually no opinion on sport in general, while describing the Olympic Games in passing as one of a number of “groundbreaking achievements that we can all benefit from”.
It is expected that Sutcliffe’s ministerial role will not have direct involvement with the London Olympics, where Tessa Jowell has retained the portfolio, and will have access to Cabinet meetings.
Sutcliffe has been a junior minister at the Department for Justice. His other stated sporting interest is rugby league.
Sutcliffe was educated at Cardinal Hensley Grammar School and Bradford College and is married with three sons. The 54-year-old was elected in 1994 following the death of Bob Cryer. As well as working as a PPS to Harriet Harman, the new Labour party deputy leader, he has had stints at the Treasury and Whips’ office were followed by junior ministerial positions at the DTI and the Home Office.
Caborn stepped down as sports minister on Thursday to front England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
Also announced today, Margaret Hodge was named as Minister of State at DCMS.
Purnell: Olympics are a waste of money
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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