Labour’s former defence secretary Maria Eagle has pledged to defend the BBC from Tory cuts after being appointed shadow culture secretary this morning.

Maria Eagle

Eagle assumed her new role after Michael Dugher became the first casualty of labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s cabinet reshuffle yesterday.

In a series of tweets posted to her 20,000 followers this morning, Eagle said she was pleased with the appointment and described culture, media and sport as a vital part of national life, which had suffered from “huge cuts” under the Conservative government.

“The Tories have also launched an attack one of our most treasured institutions - the BBC. I will take them to task on these issues,” she said.

The Liverpool-based MP for Garston & Halewood also said that she would push the government to implement of Leveson’s press regulation proposals.