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7 October 2003
University of Sussex graduate Hilary Benn MP has been appointed Secretary of State at the Department for International Development. He replaces Baroness Amos, who has become Leader of the House of Lords.
Mr Benn, born in 1953, graduated from the University of Sussex in 1974 with a BA in Russian. He served for 20 years on Ealing Borough Council, becoming the youngest-ever chair of the Education Committee and deputy leader of the Council.
Hilary Benn was elected as MP for Leeds Central in June 1999. He has already served as a junior minister in the Home Office and the Department for International Development.
Mr Benn is the second Sussex graduate to enter the Cabinet. The first was Peter Hain, who became the Welsh Secretary in November 2002 and is now also Leader of the House of Commons.
Hilary Benn is one of 12 Sussex graduates who are MPs. The others are Tony Baldry (Banbury), Roger Berry (Kingswood), Peter Bradley (The Wrekin), Ben Bradshaw (Exeter), Michael Fabricant (Lichfield), Andrew George (St Ives), Peter Hain (Neath), David Lepper (Brighton Pavilion), Dan Norris (Wansdyke), Chris Pond (Gravesham) and Martin Salter (Reading West).
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