LOCAL MP David Mundell and former England cricket star Ian ‘Beefy’ Botham have met at Westminster to discuss their new part-time roles as UK Trade Envoys.
Mr Mundell, pictured left, was recently appointed by the Prime Minister to help maximise business opportunities with New Zealand whilst Lord Botham was given the same brief focusing on neighbouring Australia.
The two met in the Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweddale representative’s parliamentary office to discuss ways they could work together on their shared mission.
Mr Mundell said: “I was delighted to meet up with Lord Botham. It was a very helpful preliminary discussion in which we were able to share ideas, helpful information and experiences as we plan the task ahead.”
He added: “Lord Botham is no stranger to some of my constituents having passed through the area in the past on some of his legendary long-distance charity walks.”
Talks are currently at an advanced stage in negotiating a free trade agreement between the UK and New Zealand.
Meanwhile, Mr Mundell has also visited New Zealand House in London where he met Bede Corry, the Commonwealth country’s High Commissioner to the UK.
