First female Chief Whip

LIZ Truss has appointed Britain’s first female Chief Whip as she seeks to repair standards in the Tory party.

Wendy Morton, 54, who was born in Yorkshire and whose father was a farmer, will be responsible for party discipline in the Commons after serving as a transport minister since February.

Mrs Morton began her career in the diplomatic service before moving into sales and marketing jobs.

When her husband, Dave, left the Royal Navy, they set up DM Electronics, supplying the agricultural industry – it remains family-run 30 years on. She is a keen walker, cook, collects art deco ceramics and enjoys family canal boating trips.