Same-sex marriage campaigner Mike Freer MP becomes Parliamentary Private Secretary to Eric Pickles

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Mike Freer has joined four other either gay or bisexual MPs who have been promoted to Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) positions in the final changes to the Government following last week’s reshuffle.

Acting as a PPS is an unpaid role for an MP, but is one which many undertake before becoming ministers. and its often understood to to be the first rung on the ministerial ladder.

Openly gay Mike Freer, MP for Finchley and Golders Green joins John Glen as PPS to Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

Mr Freer was formerly the leader of the London Borough of Barnet Council, one of the largest local authorities in the country.

He told PinkNews: “I delighted to be joining the Department for Communities and Local Government team. It is a busy department covering many issues that impact our lives from housing to high streets.”

Stuart Andrew became PPS to Francis Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General. Mr Andrew is gay and is a patron of LGBTory.

Openly gay Eric Ollerenshaw, MP for Lancaster & Fleetwood became PPS to Baroness Warsi, Senior Minister of State for Faith and Communities.

The Openly bisexual MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham. Daniel Kawczynski became PPS to David Jones, Secretary of State for Wales: