Norfolk MP George Freeman has been handed a role in one of the four new government departments created by prime minister Rishi Sunak.

The Mid Norfolk MP was made a minister in the newly-created Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

The setting up of the new department was part of Mr Sunak's cabinet reshuffle and Whitehall shake-up, in which the business, trade and culture departments were restructured into four different ministries.

Mr Freeman tweeted that he was "hugely honoured" to be the first minister of state in the new department and that its creation was "a historic moment for UK science, technology, engineering and innovation".

The Conservative MP will serve under Michelle Donelan, who became the secretary of state for science, innovation and technology after being reshuffled from her culture secretary role.

Mr Freeman returned to government in October, when he was re-appointed to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy by Mr Sunak.

He had covered a similar brief since September 2021, but quit in July as Boris Johnson's leadership of the Conservative party collapsed.