MEMBERS of Parliament summoned to the Chief Whip’s office probably always arrive feeling slightly nervous but the government’s new number one enforcer Gavin Williamson aims to make doubly sure they leave with a shiver running down their spine.

Mr Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, has a rather terrifying assistant based at his Westminster office - a pet tarantula which he keeps on his desk, and which goes by the name of Cronus – inspired by a Greek god who came to power after castrating his father.

Whether he brought in the exotic creepy crawly to frighten unruly politicians into falling into line or whether he’s just a devoted spider fan who cannot bear to be parted from his eight-legged friend – he couldn’t possibly comment! 

The MP, whose constituency includes Kinver and Stourton, simply said: “You have to look at all different ways to persuade people to vote with the government and it’s great to have Cronus as part of the team.”

He said he’s had the petrifying pet since it was a spider-ling, adding: “I have a very paternal sort of approach. It’s very much the same sort of love and care that I give to my spider as I give to all MPs.”