READING WEST MP Alok Sharma has been named as Secretary of State for International Development as part of Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle.

The former employment minister backed Boris Johnson for prime minister in the run up to the race for the new PM.

READ MORE: Reading MP says he is backing Boris Johnson to be next Prime Minister

Although he campaigned to remain in the EU, Mr Sharma has since said he would be prepared to leave with no deal.

Taking to Twitter to comment on the news, Mr Sharma said: 'Hugely honoured to be appointed Secretary of State for ⁦@DFID_UK by Prime Minister ⁦@BorisJohnson⁩ - straight into briefings at the department with the brilliant Permanent Secretary @MatthewRycroft1 who I had the pleasure to work with ⁦@foreignoffice.'

Reacting to the news, Sara Pantuliano, acting executive director of London-based think tank the Overseas Development Institute, said: "Congratulations to the new Secretary of State Alok Sharma.

"We welcome that DFID will continue to be independent and retain its seat at the cabinet table.

"But we also urge the foreign office to fully commit its diplomatic influence and knowledge to supporting the UK's aid and international development work.

"We urge the whole UK government to continue providing global leadership on dealing with the problems of climate change in the poorest and most disadvantaged communities.

"The UN talks of ending extreme poverty by 2030 but analysis by the Overseas Development Institute shows that at least 400 million people will still be in that state unless more is done to accelerate progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and focus UK aid on the poorest people.

"We hope that Mr Sharma can persuade the new prime minister to include this ambition in his forthcoming spending review."