New transport minister Claire Perry has attacked Westminster 'chumocracy'

The Prime Minister has appointed his child abuse adviser Claire Perry MP to the DfT as transport minister to replace Stephen Hammond.

Perry, newly elected in 2010 as MP for Devizes, made the headlines last week for attacking a "Westminster chumocracy" for "protecting their own" over child abuse. She replaces Hammond, who served as shadow transport minister for five years, to 2010, and as transport minister over the last two years with responsibility for rail franchising and operations and freight.

Hammond was thrown into the spotlight as rail fares became a hot politicial issue and had to defend Government action to bear down on fare rises.

Cameron reportedly wishes to promote younger MPs, and women, over those with more experience, in the run-up to the General Election. Perry, whilst attacking the "establishment" over claims that child abuse allegations have been covered up, has served as a Conservative Government whip and worked in banking. Her biography on the Conservative party's website says she "likes to walk and cycle".