FORMER Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood could make a political comeback if she is given a seat in the House of Lords.

According to the Mail on Sunday, Ms Blackwood, a former junior health minister, could be lined up to replace James O’Shaughnessy as the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Health when Parliament returns from its Christmas break.

Former Conservative MP Ms Blackwood lost out to Lib Dem Layla Moran in the 2017 general election.

Ms Blackwood has been working as a senior adviser for Peter Mandelson’s lobbying company Global Counsel.

Previously, she was Minister of Public Health and Innovation in the government and chairwoman of the Science and Technology Select Committee in the House of Commons.

She is also chair of the Human Tissue Authority and holds a number of board positions with health and innovation companies.

According to Global Counsel’s website, Ms Blackwood contributes to policy areas related to technology and healthcare, amongst others.

In February last year the former Tory MP was ‘cleared’ to take new roles – but was told her experience must not be used to give her employers unfair advantage. The Office of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments approved roles as a part-time board member of the Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE); a part-time paid job with Eagle Genomics, an IT consultancy; and another part-time paid position with Public Group International Limited (Public).

Ms Blackwood was told there were no problems taking the roles but with conditions to reduce any potential impression her employers were gaining an unfair advantage.

Ms Blackwood was an MP from May 2010 until the June 2017 election.

She has been contacted for a comment.