Trade Minister Role Finally Confirmed

The government has finally filled the role of Trade Minister (unpaid) that has lain vacant for for months since the formation of the new government.

The role will be taken by the current chairman of HSBC, Stephen Green, who will step down from HSBC before the end of the year in order to take up the position.

Several other leading business figures had turned down the role; aside from working for free, Mr Green will have to put his assets into a "blind trust" during the period of tenure.

Mr Green will report to the Business Secretary Vince Cable and to the Foreign Secretary William Hague.