ILKLEY'S new MP John Grogan has said he will not be accepting any front bench shadow minister appointments during the coming parliamentary term. He said: "I have a big job to do in Keighley and Ilkley and want to make that my top priority. I will obviously be speaking up in Parliament and in a range of committees but I will not be a shadow minister."

He added that he will be donating half his first month's salary as an MP to the campaign to get a judicial review of the decision to site a waste plant in Keighley. He will meet committee members from the Aire Valley against Incineration Campaign on Friday June 16.

Mr Grogan will hold his first surgeries on Friday June 16 and Saturday June 17 in Keighley, Silsden and in the Clarke Foley Centre in Ilkley. He will hold a surgery in Haworth on the evening of Friday June 23. Appointments can be made by ringing 01535 602579.

Meanwhile Kris Hopkins, the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Keighley and Ilkley, has congratulated new Labour MP John Grogan on his success on winning the seat.

Mr Hopkins said: “This General Election campaign has been a challenge, both locally and nationally, and we came very close to victory.

“I wish John well in the role and hope he can deliver on his pre-election promises to the people of Keighley and Ilkley.

“Representing my home ward of Worth Valley on Bradford Council and my home seat of Keighley in the House of Commons in my 19 years in public office has been an immense privilege.

“I want to sincerely thank everyone who supported me and hope I have done some lasting good for my community.”