New Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has achieved the highly unusual distinction of being promoted directly into the Cabinet without having held a more junior ministerial job.

The 41-year-old MP for South Staffordshire, who  has been a vital part of Theresa May's inner circle after being appointed as her chief whip when she took office in July last year.

He is known in Westminster for keeping a pet tarantula named Cronus in a glass box on his desk, which is said to have provided added menace when dealing with errant MPs in his role as Mrs May's enforcer.

"You have to look at all different ways to persuade people to vote with the Government and it's great to have Cronus as part of the team," he said on his appointment as chief whip, with responsibility for maintaining discipline among Tory MPs.

The spider was "a perfect example of an incredibly clean, ruthless killer".

Mr Williamson got his big break as parliamentary private secretary (PPS) to David Cameron from 2013-16 and was selected by Mrs May as her parliamentary campaign manager for the contest for the Conservative leadership triggered by Mr Cameron's resignation following the Brexit referendum.

His new appointment means Mrs May not only adds an intensely loyal lieutenant to a fractious Cabinet, but also avoids the necessity for a wider reshuffle caused by the "domino effect" if she had moved one of her senior ministers.

However, initial reaction from ministers has been less than enthusiastic.

Elected to Parliament in 2010, Mr Williamson was swiftly appointed a PPS in the Northern Ireland Office in 2011 and then held a succession of "bag-carrier" posts, acting as the eyes and ears in the House of Commons for ministers Hugo Swire, Owen Paterson and Patrick McLoughlin, before entering Number 10 as a member of Mr Cameron's team.

Although unpaid, the role of PPS is seen as a useful staging post for a backbencher seeking ministerial office, but rarely have holders of the position been elevated quite so swiftly into one of the most senior posts in the Cabinet.

He is regarded as a right-hand man of the Prime Minister, remained by her side as other key allies fell by the wayside in the wake of her disastrous snap election, and was addressed as "Chief" in Downing Street in recognition of his position.

As chief whip, he was prohibited from speaking in Parliament and has had little opportunity to build up a public profile. One of his rare ventures into the spotlight came when he signed the agreement with the Democratic Unionist Party to prop up the minority Conservative administration following this year's election.

Born and raised in Scarborough by Labour-supporting parents, Mr Williamson went to a local comprehensive school and sixth form college before taking a social science degree at the University of Bradford.

His background is in manufacturing and design at a pottery in Staffordshire and an architectural design company.

He was awarded a CBE in Mr Cameron's resignation honours for political and public service.