Dartford MP Gareth Johnson is to play a key role in the Brexit process.

After being re-elected to his seat with an increased majority on June 8, Mr Johnson was asked by Theresa May to become the Parliamentary Private Secretary to Brexit secretary David Davis.

Negotiations between Mr Davis and the EU’s Michel Barnier began last week, a year after 52% of voters decided that Britain should leave, with Dartford having the second biggest Leave vote in Kent.

Mr Johnson said he was pleased to be able to play a part in the government’s busiest department and is determined to ensure Brexit “works for everyone”.

"People know that I supported Brexit but we have to make it work for everyone.

"The referendum result must be respected and so we have to take back control of our borders, our law making and our trade agreements with the rest of the world."

He continued: "We cannot allow British law to be subservient to EU law in the future so that means coming out of the single market and the customs union.

"In short we are going to take back control of our sovereignty which is what people voted for last year.

"That doesn't mean we won't continue to be very close friends and trading partners with European countries it just means we will not be controlled by the EU.

"Our relationship with the G20, NATO and the Commonwealth means we will also remain a very international country.

"In fact Brexit gives us the opportunity to forge direct trading relationships with countries all around the world for the first time in over forty years."

For more, see Thursday's Dartford Messenger.