Leo Docherty: The ex-Scots Guards officer who's become the new Armed Forces Minister

Leo Docherty is the new Armed Forces Minister following the resignation of James Heappey - and like his predecessor he is a man with military experience.

After graduating from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) he attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and was commissioned into the Scots Guards in 2001.

He served in Iraq and Afghanistan with 1st Battalion Scots Guards and 16 Air Assault Brigade.

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After leaving the military, he recounted his experiences in Desert of Death; a Soldier’s Journey from Iraq to Afghanistan (Faber 2007).

He has travelled extensively across the Middle East and Central and South Asia, and in 2007 journeyed from Istanbul to Afghanistan by horse, foot, bike and public transport.

Mr Docherty said, "It was my time in the Army that made me realise the importance of politics and of getting involved in my community".

In 2017 he became the Conservative Member of Parliament for Aldershot, Farnborough, Blackwater and Hawley.

Mr Docherty has previously served as a Minister for Europe and Minister for Defence People and Veterans.