A 37-year-old MP who only entered the House of Commons seven months ago has been put in charge of selecting Conservative candidates for the 2022 general election as Theresa May seeks to broaden the appeal of the party.

Kemi Badenoch, who was brought up in Nigeria and introduced Mrs May's ill-fated leader's speech at the party conference in October, becomes vice chairman for candidates.

The Tory party is expecting to start selecting candidates to fight next election in the next few months, putting Ms Badenoch in an influential position over the next generation of Conservative MPs.

Ms Badenoch, who entered Parliament at last June's election, is one of nine new vice chairmen appointed by Mrs May in the reshuffle taking the total number of party vice-chairmen to 13 MPs.

Tory MPs cautioned against suggestions that Ms Badenoch will be in sole charge of candidate selection.

One Conservative MP said there was “a bit of unease about Kemi and candidates. She’s great but experienced – Brandon Lewis will do it in real life.”

Ethnic minority and younger MPs were promoted to modernise the party following a disastrous general election and in response to an apparent surge in support for Labour among young people.