Gerry Sutcliffe’s Parliamentary assistant has joined the Bradford MP in becoming a director at Bradford Bulls and is set to play an increasingly prominent role at the Super League club.

Mick Swales, Mr Sutcliffe’s long-standing political advisor for over 15 years, has joined the Bulls’ board and will work at the club on an unpaid, part-time basis.

His brief is to provide assistance to the Bulls’ management team with the club’s communications strategy and to develop relationships with potential partner organisations.

Both men were recently lodged as directors of the club at Companies House and Mr Sutcliffe said: “Mick and I have a good working relationship and it’s important that we move to the next stage at the club by getting people into key roles.

“I think Mick will do a good job in terms of communication and he’s a big sports fan like myself and recognises the importance of sport to the city.

“He’s kindly doing this on an unpaid basis and it certainly won’t affect his Parliamentary duties.”