SOUTH Essex MP Mark Francois has taken a job as a senior whip after being overlooked for the role of the Government’s new Europe minister – a post he served as a shadow minister for three years.

Last week it emerged that Mr Francois’ expected role as Europe minster was instead going to David Lidington.

According to speculation in some national newspapers, the decision was made by new Prime Minister David Cameron after pressure from his Lib Dem coalition partners, because of Mr Francois’s Eurosceptic views.

But speaking to the Echo, Rayleigh and Wickford MP Mr Francois insisted he was not disappointed by the appointment and would be looking forward to his time as whip, a role he previously held for two years from 2002.

He said: “I began my frontbench career as an opposition whip, so I’m actually quite pleased to be going back to the whips office, although it’s on a more senior level than I started on. I will be working very closely with the chief whip and I have already met with him to discuss the role, so I’m looking forward to it.”