North Somerset MP Liam Fox in the running to be new Director-General of World Trade Organisation

The MP for North Somerset, Liam Fox, has been nominated by the Government as a candidate to lead the World Trade Organisation.

Dr Fox, the former International Trade Secretary, has been put forward to become the WTO's new director general to replace Roberto Azevedo, who is stepping down on 31 August 2020.

Dr Fox, a Conservative and keen Brexiteer, has held ministerial roles under John Major, David Cameron and Theresa May. He served as International Trade Secretary during the Brexit negotiations.

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The current International Trade Secretary, Liz Truss, says "We need a fierce champion of free and fair trade, an advocate of multilateralism and someone able to get things done. Liam brings all that to the table."

Downing Street says the Prime Minister believes Dr Fox is a strong candidate with a detailed knowledge of the trade system. It says his time as International Trade Secretary showed a deep commitment to trade, and it looks forward to supporting him. A spokesperson said the focus now is to support his candidacy, taking it one step at a time.

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Dr Fox Tweeted that he is honoured to have been nominated by Boris Johnson to be a candidate to lead the World Trade Organisation.

Nominations for the post of Director General of the World Trade Organisation closed on Wednesday 8 July. Seven other countries have put forward candidates.

• Check out the candidates here.

If Dr Fox does get appointed, it will affect his role as MP for North Somerset.