Sutcliffe Named As New Minister For Sport

Gerry Sutcliffe has been named as the Minister for Sport as part of new Prime
Minister Gordon Brown’s ministerial reshuffle, succeeding Richard Caborn who
held the post for the last six years.

The 54-year old Sutcliffe is MP for Bradford South and has a solid political
background, serving stints as a whip and junior minister in the DTI and DCMS
offices.

He replaces fellow Yorkshireman Caborn who has been moved into an
ambassadorial role for the proposed bid to host the football World Cup in 2018.

The appointment of Sutcliffe is thought to be the personal preference of
Gordon Brown despite James Purnell, the new Culture Secretary for the Department
of Culture, Media and Sport, believed to have favoured Loughborough MP Andy
Reed.

Sutcliffe, who is believed to have known about his appointment for some time,
commented: ‘As a sports fanatic, this is not just an incredible challenge but a
true privilege too.

‘Sport has tremendous power not just to inspire and delight but to change
lives for the better. Be it on health, crime or social inclusion, I will be
looking to harness that power and cement sport’s place at the heart of
government policy.’

Sutcliffe faces a number of challenges in his new position not least of which
will be his involvement in the London 2012 Olympic preparations although a
separate ministry has been set up to handle all 2012 issues under Purnell’s
predecessor as Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell.

Sutcliffe supports two football teams – Bradford City and Manchester United
and is also a Bradford Bulls rugby league supporter.