SEVENOAKS MP Michael Fallon said it was "ironic" he and "next-door neighbour" John Stanley missed out on Government watchdog jobs.

Mr Fallon had hoped to be elected for the key post of chairman of the Treasury Select Committee, having served on the board since 1999.

But last Thursday, the job surprisingly went to Andrew Tyrie, MP for Chichester.

Mr Fallon also missed out on a junior ministerial job, while Mr Stanley, MP for Tonbridge and Malling, missed the job of foreign affairs select committee chairman.

Mr Fallon said: "It did seem ironic both of us lost but I'm hoping to at least stay on the Treasury Select Committee.

"It's the watchdog over the Chancellor, the Governor of the Bank of England, the bankers, the Financial Services Authority.

"These are very important to Sevenoaks, as many people work in the City."