OLD Bexley and Sidcup MP James Brokenshire has been appointed as the new immigration minister in Parliament.

It happened because Mark Harper resigned from the post after it emerged his cleaner did not have permission to work in the UK.

Mr Harper notified Prime Minister David Cameron, who accepted his resignation "with regret", Number 10 said.

It added there was "no suggestion" the 43-year-old Conservative MP for the Forest of Dean had "knowingly employed an illegal immigrant".

Mr Brokenshire was previously the minister for security.