FORMER MP David Lock has bounced back from his crushing General Election defeat by landing a key post working with the Government in the fight against crime.

He was appointed by Home Secretary David Blunkett, his colleague on the Labour benches until he lost his Wyre Forest seat to health campaigner Dr Richard Taylor last June.

The Home Office said Mr Lock would take up his appointment as the new chairman for the Service Authorities for the National Criminal Intelligence Service and the National Crime Squad in April.

He will be charged with maintaining the two organisations and making sure they are "efficient" and "effective".

Mr Blunkett said the 41-year-old had been chosen because of his strong legal background.

Mr Lock is a former junior Minister at the Lord Chancellor's Department and a barrister and legal consultant, specialising in civil and commercial law.

Mr Blunkett added: "David Lock will bring considerable experience to the job as a barrister with wide experience of legal and criminal matters."

Mr Lock said: "I'm very pleased to accept this appointment which represents a great challenge.

"NCIS and the National Crime squad play an extremely important role in the UK's response to serious and organised crime. I look forward to contributing to this invaluable work."

A Home Office spokesman said Mr Lock would be paid an "allowance" based on a minimum of two days a week.

She added the size of the allowance had not yet been determined.

"I'm absolutely delighted that he has got a good job to go on to which is right up his street," said Dr Taylor.