NATIONAL HUNT
Why did Jeremy Hunt quit the Cabinet and what has he said about Brexit?
JEREMY Hunt did not win the battle to become the next Conservative Party leader.
He is also no longer the Foreign Secretary. So what is he up to now? Here's what we know.
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Who is Jeremy Hunt?
The son of a Royal Navy officer, Jeremy Hunt was born on November 1, 1966.
Jeremy Richard Streynsham Hunt studied PPE – Philosophy, Politics and Economics – at Magdalen College, Oxford where he was the President of the Oxford University Conservative Association.
Hunt founded the company known as Hotcourses in the 1990s along with his childhood friend Mike Elms.
He stood down as a company director in 2009 but still retained 48 per cent of the shares which netted him more than £14million when the company was sold in January 2017.
He first became an MP in 2005, representing South West Surrey and later had a spell in the Shadow Cabinet, initially for disabled people and later as the Shadow Culture Secretary.
Under David Cameron’s administration he served as the Culture Secretary and the Minister for the Olympics from 2010 to 2012.
Hunt was promoted to Health Secretary in 2012, a position he held until 2018, making him the person to have held the job the longest in British political history.
After Johnson resigned as Foreign Secretary over the Chequers Agreement, Hunt was given the post by the Prime Minister Theresa May.
He met his wife, Lucia Guo, in 2008 and the couple married in July the following year. They have a son and two daughters - Eleanor, Anna and Jack.
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What is Hunt's net worth?
The former management consultant is one of the richest members of the Cabinet.
His net worth was estimated to be around £14million, following the sale of his firm Hotcourses in 2017.
The firm releases information about educational training courses.
He has previously said he will use his windfall to "campaign for causes I believe in", once he leaves politics.
Why did he quit the Cabinet?
On Twitter, Hunt said Boris Johnson offered him another in the Cabinet, but he turned it down.
He said he will return to the backbenches and support Johnson as PM.
Hunt explained he was taking a step back so he be a "good dad" to his three children as he has been in Cabinet since all three have been alive.
Hunt will remain the MP South West Surrey.
He said: " I would have been honoured to carry on my work at the FCO but understand the need for a new PM to choose his team. BJ kindly offered me another role but after 9 yrs in Cabinet & over 300 cab mtgs now is the time to return 2 backbenches from where PM will have my full support.
"I've been a cabinet minister for every hour my 3 gorgeous children have been alive. So whilst it may seem strange for someone who just tried to become PM (& is a terrible cliche) I have decided now is the time for the biggest challenge of all - to be a GOOD DAD!
"It has been a huge honour 2 be responsible 4 the finest diplomatic service in the world & 2 see the courage & wisdom of our diplomats & intelligence services. Thanks 4 guiding me with such patience & professionalism! Proud to have stood up alongside you for British values.
"Also most importantly heartfelt thanks to the 1/3 of Conservative Party members who supported me. Despite being the outsider, the campaign was spirited & smart (if I do say so myself). I was truly humbled with the confidence placed in me by so many people."
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What is Jeremy Hunt’s stance on abortion?
The Tory leadership frontrunner sparked controversy when he announced during an interview with Sky that he believed the abortion limit should be halved.
This would be from the current 24 weeks, down to 12.
He said his stance on abortion was a “matter of conscience”.
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