After working in communications for George W Bush's two presidential campaigns, she went on to become director of Diabetes UK in 2006.
Ms Mordaunt failed at her first attempt at becoming an MP in 2005.
Part of the ambitious 2010 Tory intake, she eventually snatched her seat from Labour. The Brexit-backing politician is the daughter of a former paratrooper and named after the Leander-class frigate HMS Penelope.





