Mike Freer handed return to government in justice role

Finchley and Golders Green MP Mike Freer has been handed a return to government after been appointed parliamentary under secretary of state in the ministry of justice.

Freer had resigned from the Boris Johnson led government, having been minister for exports and minister for equalitesin July saying it hasbeen creating an “atmosphere of hostility for LGBT+ people”.

But his new role under Prime Minister Liz Truss was confirmed on Tuesday after King Charles III signed offa series of ministerial appointments.

Free had supported Truss during her leadership campaign declaring:”As the equalities minister reporting to her, she was entirely supportive of a fully inclusive ban on conversion therapy, entirely supportive of the Safe to be Me Conference, gave me her backing to a programme of cross government work to improve the day to day lives of LGBT+ people – healthcare (including trans healthcare), housing, crime, reviews of historic injustices.”

Confirmation of Freer’s role came on the same day as barrister Sarah Sackman, who is Jewish confirmed she had applied to be Labour’s next candidate for Finchley & Golders Green seat.

Sackman had previously stood against Freer in the 2015 general election, losing out to the Conservative representative by 5, 600 votes, in a poll in which both Tory and Labour candidates increased their vote share.

The Jewish Labour Movement vice chair unveiled a slick online video to help boost her campaign to be selected by her local party for the seat, which included footage of her purchasing bread from Daniels bakery in Golders Green.

Human rights expert Sackman was quoted in the video saying:”I’ve spent the last decade fighting for our communities, speaking truth to power and giving a voice to people who need it most. Now I need your help to turn this seat red.”