Ellie Simmonds gets plum Commonwealth Games role
Paralympic hero Ellie Simmonds has been given a key role on Birmingham's Commonwealth Games organising committee.
The Walsall swimming sensation, who won five Paralympic gold medals, has been appointed as a non-executive director for the games in 2022.
She will work alongside Brummie Nick Timothy, Theresa May's former chief of staff who was behind the Conservatives' 2017 General Election campaign, and arts administrator Lyndsey Jackson.
All three were appointed by Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright and will oversee the planning and development of the event.
Ms Simmonds, from Aldridge, was just 13 when she won her first two gold medals at the Beijing Paralympic Games in 2008.
She won a further two golds at London 2012 and another one in Rio four years later.
She returned to action last year after taking a year out from the sport, competing at the World Para-swimming European Championships in Dublin.
Meanwhile Mr Timothy's appointment has prompted accusations of cronyism.
He is considered to be the architect of Mrs May's Brexit red lines, and has criticised Tory Remainer MPs for "sabotaging" the UK's decision to leave the EU.
He is now a newspaper columnist.
Labour MP Martin Whitfield said: "This is a blatant example of 'jobs for the boys'."
The role of non-executive director is unpaid.
