Radio minister Margot James resigns from government

The minister responsible for radio in the UK, Margot James, has resigned and voted against the government as part of efforts to stop parliament being suspended.

She had been the Minister for Digital and Creative Industries since January 2018, taking over the job from Matt Hancock when he became Culture Secretary.

Today’s vote in the House of Commons saw Margot James and 16 other Conservative MPs vote against their own party to ensure that parliament has a say on a No-Deal Brexit. The government was defeated by 41 votes in its efforts to allow the incoming Prime Minister to be able to suspend Parliament.

Ms James has been heavily involved in recent debates in the Commons about local radio and only this week put forward legislation that will enable the licensing of small-scale digital radio multiplexes.

Listen to Margot James talking to RadioToday at the Radio Festival in May: