Dawn Butler has been appointed as Labour's new shadow women and equalities minister.

The MP for Brent Central takes over from Sarah Champion following her resignation, it was announced on Thursday night.

Ms Butler has previously been chair of the women's Parliamentary Labour Party and served as shadow minister for diverse communities under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership.

In 2009, she made history by being the first African-Caribbean woman to become a government minister.

The former GMB official announced that she was honoured to accept the role and thanked her friend Ms Champion for her hard work in the role.

She said: "I am determined in this role to challenge policy that disproportionately impacts women negatively.

"I have always fought for those who feel voiceless and I will fight to deliver real equality in our country."

Mr Corbyn said: "I look forward to working closely with Dawn to advance our agenda of a truly equal society that works for the many not the few."

Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry and shadow education minister Angela Rayner sent their congratulations on Twitter.