Former Waitrose managing director Lord Mark Price has stood down from his role as international trade minister.
Lord Price, who had only been in the role for a year, said he wants to focus on business and writing. Having written The Great British Picnic Guide in 2008, he has significantly stepped up his writing commitments in the past year, penning The Food Lover's Handbook, children's novel The Foolish King and business books Fairness for All and Workplace Fables.
His governmental responsiblities, including getting the Trade Bill through parliament, are being taken over by international trade minister Greg Hands, while Mark Garnier becomes minister for investment.
The Sun newspaper quoted ex-Labour cabinet minister Lord Adonis as saying: “He [Lord Price] found it impossible to justify or explain the government’s Brexit policy to the House of Lords - unsurprisingly, because he is a serious guy”.
Lord Price has held a number of other high-profile roles, including as deputy chairman of the John Lewis Partnership and deputy chairman of Channel 4.
