Hitchin and Harpenden MP Bim Afolami has left his role as parliamentary private secretary at the Department for Transport after being named as PPS to the Secretary of State for International Development.

Mr Afolami will be the main contact for MP Penny Mordaunt, acting as a link between her and MPs, assisting parliamentary questions and helping with ministerial arrangements.

The Department for International Development is responsible for administering overseas aid, with their goal being to “promote sustainable development and eliminate world poverty”.

The appointment means that Mr Afolami will leave his role as PPS to MP Chris Grayling, a position he held since September 2018.

“I am delighted to have been named as the new PPS to the Secretary of State for International Development, the Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP,” he said.

“International development is a top priority for this government and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Penny to promote sustainable development and eliminate world poverty.”

After leaving his Department for Transport role, Mr Afolami pledged to continue support commuters – saying: “This move will in no way impact my ability to fight for better rail access and services for Hitchin and Harpenden.

“I will continue to hold the Department for Transport to account and make sure commuters’ voices are heard within government.”