SHIPLEY MP Philip Davies has been chosen to sit on the powerful justice select committee which scrutinises the work of the Ministry of Justice and other bodies.

Mr Davies, a constant campaigner for tougher justice, said: “I am delighted my colleagues elected me.

“I will continue to do everything I can to ensure criminals are serving their sentences in full, receiving the correct sentence and action is taken to stop the criminal justice system from losing public confidence.”

Mr Davies will now step down from the Commons culture, media and sports committee which he has served on since 2006.

The appointment comes days after a burglar who sexually assaulted a teacher was imprisoned after Mr Davies led a chorus of demands for the case to be re-examined.

Joshua Sweet, 20, of Weoley Castle, Birmingham, was originally handed a community sentence after pleading guilty at Birmingham Crown Court, to burglary and sexual assault on a woman in her home.

On Tuesday, Sweet was jailed for two-and-a-half years after three judges at the Court of Appeal ruled the initial sentence was unduly lenient.