WINCHESTER MP Mark Oaten is continuing his steady rise through the ranks of the Liberal Democrat party.

Mr Oaten, 39, has been appointed to the key post of shadow Home Secretary in a reshuffle announced by Charles Kennedy.

Mark Oaten said: "I am delighted to be given the position. It's an important role because it covers crime, policing, justice and prisons - areas in which we need to do much more to tackle crime levels and make communities safe.

"The Home Office is also responsible for the issues of nationality, immigration and human rights-areas which can strongly affect individual freedoms.

"I intend to ensure that there is strong protection of freedoms and civil liberties and that there is as little interference in people's lives as possible."