The Catholic aid agency CAFOD is among those who have welcomed Penny Mordaunt, aged 44, as the new Secretary of State for International Development, replacing Priti Patel.
Chris Bain, director of CAFOD, told The Tablet: "I am no doubt biased but I consider hers to be one of the best jobs in government. As the UK looks to forge a new global identity outside the European Union in the years ahead the leadership of DFID, which saves and transforms the lives of the world’s poorest people, has never been more important. We’re looking forward to working with the new Secretary of State on ensuring UK aid focuses on the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable, that the eradication of poverty remains its primary objective and that we work together on prioritising the hardest to reach and on leaving no one behind.”
Mordaunt, a Brexiteer who supported the "leave" campaign in the EU Referendum, has succeeded Ms Patel who resigned this week after a controversy over unauthorised meetings with Israeli officials.
Conservative MP for Portsmouth North, Mordaunt is a reservist in the Royal Navy.
In 2014 she appeared as a contestant on the diving reality TV show Splash! and donated her entire £10,000 appearance fee to charity, including Armed Services charities.
From Portsmouth, she has a twin brother and a younger brother also who she cared for after her mother died of breast cancer when she was just 15. She was educated at Oaklands Roman Catholic Comprehensive School in Waterlooville and was the first member of her family to go to university. She worked as a magician's assistant to finance her studies at sixth form college. She won her Parliamentary seat from Labour in 2010.
(Pic: Penny Mordaunt arrives in Downing Street, London, following the resignation of Priti Patel. Credit: Rick Findler/PA)
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