Robertson, the Conservative MP for Faversham and Mid Kent, will replace Gerry Sutcliffe as Sports Minister and Tessa Jowell as Olympics Minister - just as was reported he would do on insidethegames six days ago.  

Robertson has immediately been pitched into the row involving England's campaign to host the 2018 World Cup after Lord Triesman was forced to resign as bid leader and chairman of the Football Association following claims in the Mail on Sunday that Russia and Spain, two of the rivals to host the tournament, were involved in bribery.

The World Cup bid, along with the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, is not surprisingly top of the agenda for Robertson, a 47-year-old former Major in the Life Guards who saw active service in the first Gulf War, Bosnia and Northern Ireland.

He said: "I’m delighted to have been appointed as Sport and Olympics Minister, a job I have shadowed for the past five years.

"With the World Cup bid well underway and the Olympics on the horizon, it’s an incredibly exciting time to get this job.

"I have three very clear priorities; to do everything in my power to win the World Cup bid, help to deliver a successful 2012 Olympics and through that drive a sporting legacy. 

"I can’t wait to get started."

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