Gay MP Chris Bryant tipped for Deputy Leader of the House
Chris Bryant, the openly gay MP for Rhonda, is reportedly to be appointed Deputy Leader of the House of Commons in the final stages of Prime minister Gordon Brown’s reshuffle.
Mr Bryant was one of the MPs behind a plot to oust Tony Blair in 2006 but was not rewarded with a ministerial post by Mr Brown. He was named by PinkNews.co.uk as 26th most powerful LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered) person in Britain.
He ran the successful campaign for Leader of the House of Commons Harriet Harman to be elected Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. Ms Harman is also the Minister for Women and Equality.
Mr Bryant is currently Ms Harman’s Parliamentary Private Secretary, the lowest, unpaid rung of the government ladder.
In 2003 The Sun brought to light pictures of the Mr Bryant, a former Anglican priest posing in his underwear, which they procured from his Gaydar profile.
Despite that setback, he has worked hard in Parliament and spoken in favour of gay rights at every opportunity.
He joins fellow gay politicians Nick Brown and Peter Mandelson to have been promoted by Mr Brown in the government reshuffle.
