Sir John Whittingdale is to act as minister of state for the UK’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
He was appointed minister of state for Media and Data in the DCMS on 14 February 2020, having previously served as secretary of state for culture, media and sport from May 2015 to 14 July 2016.
Sir John will provide cover for DCMS and DSIT minister of state Julia Lopez, and DSIT secretary of state Michelle Donelan while they are on maternity leave.