TWO Gwent politicians who were previously sacked from the Conservative shadow front bench in the Senedd are to be reinstated, the Welsh Conservatives have confirmed this afternoon.

In a Tory shadow cabinet reshuffle, AM for South Wales East Mohammad Asghar returns to his post of shadow minister for equalities and sport, while Monmouth AM Nick Ramsay becomes shadow minister for finance, having previously been the party's shadow business minister.

But Mr Ramsay will not return to his position as chairman of the enterprise and business committee, from which he was also sacked in February and succeeded by William Graham AM.

Along with fellow AMs Janet Finch-Saunders and Antoinette Sandbach, Mr Ramsay and Mr Asghar were pushed from the shadow front bench five months ago for rebelling in a vote on proposed income tax powers.

The party yesterday described itself as "the only credible alternative to a flawed Labour government" and said it would put the "success of our country" at the heart of its agenda.

The rest of the shadow cabinet consists of Andrew RT Davies, leader; Angela Burns shadow minister for education; Byron Davies, shadow minister for regeneration and transport; Paul Davies, deputy leader and Chief Whip; Suzy Davies, shadow minister for tourism, culture, heritage and the Welsh language; Janet Finch-Saunders, shadow minister for local government; Russell George, shadow minister for rural affairs; William Graham, shadow minister for business, enterprise and skills; Mark Isherwood, shadow minister for housing, communities and North Wales; Darren Millar, shadow minister for health, social services and older people; Antoinette Sandbach, shadow minister for the environment; and David Melding as deputy Presiding Officer.

A statement by the Welsh Tory leader, Andrew RT Davies AM, did not allude to the reasons behind the move.

Mr Ramsay AM hit the headlines earlier this month when it was alleged he was inebriated in the Senedd, but following an investigation Presiding Officer Rosemary Butler said no further action would be taken.