The Prime Minister has announced the appointment of Kings Langley’s MP, Mike Penning to Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council.

The Privy Council’s role is to advise The Queen on the exercise of Her Majesty’s prerogative powers as Monarch.

Mike Penning said: "It is a great privilege to have been appointed to the Privy Council. The Privy Council is one of the most ancient arms of Government and I am deeply honoured to become a member."

Historically, Privy Counsellors were the chief governing body and fulfilled the role that the Cabinet performs today.

Appointments are made by the Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister. Appointment to the Privy Council is for life, but only Ministers of the democratically elected Government of the day participate in its policy work.