Michelle Donelan replaces Nadine Dorries as culture secretary

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 07 September 2022

Michelle Donelan is appointed as the new culture secretary, replacing Nadine Dorries in the key role.

Michelle Donelan has been named culture secretary by new Prime Minister Liz Truss, ending the controversial tenure of Nadine Dorries in the role.

The post, with responsibility for areas including broadcasting, digital and sport, had been occupied by Dorries for the last year - during which time she announced plans to sell off Channel 4 and hinted that the BBC licence fee would be axed.

Donelan, 38, has been working in the education department for the last two years, having entered parliament as the MP for Chippenham in 2015.

Prior to her career in politics, she worked in marketing for the WWE and the History Channel and also boasts experience in the publishing industry with stints at Marie Claire and That's Life magazines.

Although the Truss government has yet to reveal its agenda for the DCMS, Donelan is a known critic of the licence fee and previously called for it to be "scrapped altogether".

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