Rayner's permanent security council seat

ANGELA Rayner's appointment to the National Security Council "is recognition of the expectation that the Deputy Prime Minister will attend this committee regularly," Downing Street has said.

The apparent U-turn was reported at the weekend by the Guardian newspaper, which revealed that Ms Rayner had been given a permanent seat on the committee.

Details published earlier this month showed that there was no permanent seat for Ms Rayner on the NSC, in a break with former practice.

Asked about the reports on Monday, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "This formalises and is indeed recognition of the expectation that the Deputy Prime Minister will attend this committee regularly."