Infrastructure question is revived after Stewart departs from water brief

Changes at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) under the new prime minister, Theresa May, have included the water minister post which revives questions over resource planning.

Andrea Leadsom's appointment as environment secretary was followed by the move of reservoir advocate Rory Stewart from his water minister job to minister of state at the Department for International Development.

According to a spokesman at Defra the bulk of the water portfolio is to go to Thérèse Coffey (pictured) who has joined Defra as Parliamentary under secretary. New Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Defra, Lord Gardiner of Kimble was expected to take on some of the water portfolio the Defra spokesman said.

George Eustice will also act as minister of state at Defra.