RICHMOND MP Rishi Sunak (pictured) has become a member of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs Select (EFRA) Committee in the House of Commons.

The Select Committee is a small cross-party body of MPs devoted to rural issues and farming, and is tasked with holding the Government to account.

Neil Parish, the newly-elected EFRA select committee chairman and former Somerset dairy farmer, said: “His presence will ensure the experience of North Yorkshire’s farmers and rural communities will play a key part in scrutinising Government policy."

Mr Sunak said: "A huge part of what I want to do as MP for Richmond is to help our rural economy thrive. I am privileged and honoured to get involved in pushing the Government as much as I can to do what is right for our rural communities: cutting red tape, fighting for our farmers and campaigning for further roll out of broadband."

Anne McIntosh, the former MP for Thirsk, Malton and Filey, was the previous Efra committee chairman.