Ex-Labour MP Ian Austin appointed trade envoy to Israel by PM

Former Labour MP Ian Austin has been appointed as a trade envoy to Israel by Prime Minister Theresa May.

Mr Austin quit Jeremy Corbyn’s party in February in response to what he claimed was a “culture of extremism, antisemitism and intolerance”.

The Dudley North MP now sits as an independent in the Commons.

Tory peer Lord Risby has been appointed as trade envoy to Lebanon, in addition to his current role covering Algeria.

Speaking to Jewish News, Ian Austin MP said: ““Trade with Israel is worth billions to Britain, it has resulted in investment and jobs in businesses across the UK, including here in the Black Country and in Dudley too.”

I’m looking forward to working with the Department for Trade and the brilliant team at our embassy in Israel who are working so hard to help British companies win business in Israel and strengthen the trading relationship between the two countries.”

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox told MPs: “These new appointments take the total number of trade envoys to 27 parliamentarians covering 58 markets.

“The Prime Minister’s trade envoy programme is an unpaid and voluntary cross-party network, who support the UK’s ambitious trade and investment agenda in global markets.”

• Read more: OPINION – Ian Austin: Fighting racism made me join Labour, antisemitism made me quit