Tobacco Mordaunt in paid role as BAT adviser

Penny Mordaunt has taken on a new job advising one of the world's biggest tobacco companies on "harm reduction".

- Rowena Mason

The former Conservative leadership contender, who served in cabinet roles from defence secretary to leader of the House of Commons, will advise the "transformation advisory group" at British American Tobacco (BAT), in a paid role, after losing her seat in parliament last year.

The former MP abstained on a vote on Rishi Sunak's gradual smoking ban in the early stages of the bill last year, and was in charge of the government's legislative programme when the proposed law did not make it through parliament before the election.