Theresa May ‘delighted’ that Lynne Featherstone is back at Home Office
Theresa May (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Home Secretary Theresa May says she’s “delighted” that Lib Dem MP Lynne Featherstone has returned to her former government department as a minister.
Mrs May said: “I’m delighted to welcome Lynne Featherstone back to the Home Office. I greatly enjoyed working with her as a minister here at the start of the Parliament, and am glad to have the chance to do so again.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Norman Baker for his work as Crime Prevention Minister and to wish him well for the future.”
Mr Baker resigned yesterday citing differences with his Tory ministerial boss over drugs policy and other areas.
Mrs Featherstone, who has been the MP for Hornsey and Wood Green in north-east London since 2005, was first appointed to the Home Office as an equalities minister in May 2010.
During that period, Theresa May was responsible for the Government Equalities Office, as Minster for Women and Equalities.
The appointment was controversial due to Mrs May’s mixed LGBT voting record.
Mrs Featherstone launched the consultation by the UK government on introducing same-sex marriage in England and Wales and was the first politician to take part in the Out4Marriage campaign.
She said: “Less obviously in terms of public perception as having a major role in this – but a big thank you to Theresa May. She was my Secretary of State and without her support – genuine support – this would not have got out of the stables.”
Last week, Mrs Featherstone was named Ally of the Year at the PinkNews Awards.
The award was presented by fellow Lib Dem Schools Minister David Laws.
Mr Baker also attended last week’s PinkNews Awards at the Speaker’s Residence in Parliament.
