THE MP for Rochford and Southend East has been honoured with a knighthood.

Sir James Duddridge, Tory MP for Rochford and Southend East, has been made a Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (KCMG).

Sir James has served in roles across government, as the current Minister of State for International Trade, and former appointments as Minister for Africa in the Department for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Minister for Exiting the European Union.

Additionally, Sir James has served as a Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury twice.

Sir James also served as the Parliamentary Private Secretary to former Prime Minister Boris Johnson until July this year.

Outside his ministerial roles, Sir James has chaired a number of select committees in parliament. 

Celebrating the honour, he said: “I am enormously proud to be recognised for my work in Rochford and Southend East as a Member of Parliament for seventeen years and as a minister.

“It is a particularly great honour to be made a Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George. It will be a great surprise to people who knew me before I stood for election.

“I can assure my constituents that I will not follow Sir David’s shining example, riding through the streets of Southend on horseback in armour, unless you insist.

“As a knight of the realm, at the relatively young age of fifty-one, my work continues, and I look forward to continuing to serve the people of Rochford and Southend East.”