David Cameron made a surprise comeback today as Rishi Sunak sacked Suella Braverman in a reshuffle described as “trolling” the Tory right.
The prime minister has sought to oust Ms Braverman as he seeks to restore his authority with potentially less than a year to go before a general election.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, a close ally of Mr Sunak with less strident views on the European Convention on Human Rights, takes over as Home Office.
In a decision that caused an earthquake in Westminster, Mr Cameron was given Mr Cleverly’s old role. Since he is not a member of parliament, he is given the nobility in order to be able to take over government office.
He is the first member of the House of Lords to hold the post since Lord Carrington in the 1980s and the first former prime minister to return to cabinet since Alec Douglas-Home in the 1970s.
Who is in and who is out?
OUT OF
Suella Braverman – dismissed as Interior Minister
MOVING
James Cleverly – from Foreign Secretary to Home Secretary
IN
David Cameron – Foreign Secretary
REMAIN
Jeremy Hunt – Chancellor
Just weeks ago, Mr Cameron condemned Mr Sunak’s decision to downgrade the HS2 rail project. He is deeply distrusted by the Tory after he led the Remain campaign before leaving in 2016 and also cultivated closer ties with China as prime minister.
In a statement, the current Lord Cameron said: “We face a number of huge international challenges, including the war in Ukraine and the crisis in the Middle East.”
“During this time of profound global change, there has rarely been a more important time for this country to stand with our allies, strengthen our partnerships and ensure our voices are heard.”
“Although I have not been at the forefront of politics for the last seven years, I hope that my experience – leader of the Conservative Party for 11 years and prime minister for six years – will help me cope as the prime minister to support these vital challenges.”
Ms Braverman’s sacking comes after an extraordinary week of row over the handling of pro-Palestinian protests in London on ceasefire day.
She incurred the wrath of No 10 by launching “hate marches” and then writing an article accusing the police of bias without clarifying this.
Critics accuse her of fomenting violence as far-right counter-demonstrators took to the streets – although the Tories are deeply divided and their supporters say the grim scenes in the capital have vindicated her.
The astonishing developments were greeted with extreme sarcasm by a former minister of the right-wing ERG bloc. “We are excited. “All we need is for Tobias Ellwood to become defense minister and our joy will be complete,” they said.
A Tory aide said Mr Sunak had been involved in “top-right trolling”. MPs may have been further alarmed when arch-Remainer Lord Heseltine appeared on television to welcome the return to the “centre” and urged Mr Sunak to also bring George Osborne back.
A Downing Street source said: “Rishi Sunak has asked Suella Braverman to leave the government and she has agreed.”
In a threatening response, Ms Braverman said: “It has been the greatest privilege of my life to serve as Home Secretary. ‘I will have more to say in due course.’
Westminster was shocked when David Cameron stepped out of an official car in Downing Street this morning to be appointed Foreign Secretary
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly (right) has taken over the Home Office. In a decision that caused an earthquake in Westminster, David Cameron (left) has taken over Mr Cleverly’s old job
Suella Braverman was today sacked as Home Secretary by Rishi Sunak
The prime minister is trying to restore his authority with a general election potentially less than a year away
Mr Cameron is the first member of the House of Lords to hold the post since Lord Carrington in the 1980s
The Conservatives announced the start of the reshuffle with a message on social media that Mr Sunak was “strengthening his team… to make long-term decisions for a better future”.
The current Lord Cameron said he was “happy to accept” the appointment as Foreign Secretary.
Last night, Ms Braverman spoke out defiantly despite increasing speculation about her fate, releasing a statement in which she said pro-Gaza demonstrations “polluting the streets with hate” “could not continue”. She criticized the “emphasis on terrorism” on ceasefire day and said further action was needed.
A No10 briefing overnight suggested the government was considering tightening rules on police blocking such protests – which take place weekly in the capital.
After holding back ahead of Remembrance weekend, Downing Street appears to have decided it must act ahead of a key court ruling on Rwanda policy on Wednesday.
The government is prepared to lose the case amid concerns that Ms Braverman may have sought to burnish her credibility with the conservative right by quitting and demanding that the UK leave the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Conservatives announced the start of the reshuffle with a message on social media that Mr Sunak was “strengthening his team… to make long-term decisions for a better future”.
More key jobs are expected to change hands, with Health Secretary Steve Barclay and Environment Secretary Therese Coffey considered at risk.
However, Jeremy Hunt will remain in the Chancellor’s office for just under a week until the Autumn Statement.
Further down the food chain, Health Minister Neil O’Brien and long-serving Education Secretary Nick Gibb have announced they are leaving government.
Another health minister, Will Quince, has resigned ahead of the next election.
Former minister Andrea Jenkyns said Ms Braverman was “sacked for telling the truth” and it was a “poor decision by Rishi to veer to the left”.
Although Lord Cameron’s comeback sparked a gasp from the right, it was celebrated by some of his former allies.
Theresa May posted on social media site X: “Congratulations to @DavidCameron on his return to government.”
“His immense experience on the international stage will be invaluable during this time of great uncertainty in our world. “I look forward to working together again!’
Lord Cameron is the first former prime minister to return to government since Alec Douglas-Home.
There was a “golden era” of cooperation between Britain and China during the Cameron government, which Mr Sunak described as “naïve” last year after growing tensions with Beijing.
Lord Cameron had also been critical of Sunak’s decision to scrap the northern branch of HS2, while the Prime Minister used his Tory conference speech to distance himself from the legacy of his predecessors.
But the former prime minister made clear he supported Mr Sunak and would work with him to help the Tories win the general election expected next year.
The new foreign secretary said: “While I may have disagreed with some individual decisions, it is clear to me that Rishi Sunak is a strong and capable Prime Minister who is showing exemplary leadership at a difficult time.”
“I want to help him deliver the security and prosperity our country needs and be part of the best possible team to serve the UK that can be presented to the country in the general election.”‘
Mr Cleverly was asked if he wanted to distance himself from the language of his predecessor Ms Braverman.
He told broadcasters: “Well, I intend to do this job in the way I think is best to protect the British people and our interests.”
“I had a very good conversation with the Prime Minister, who made it very clear that he wants us to keep our promises to stop the boats, protect the British people and make sure everyone feels safe in their lives .”
News of Ms Braverman’s departure came as Defense Secretary James Heappey toured the broadcast studios.
Minutes before she was sacked, he had told LBC that Mr Sunak and his team at No 10 had “made it very clear that she (Ms Braverman) had his trust and in that spirit you can imagine them moving on.” becomes”.
However, during an ITV interview with Good Morning Britain, he was told on air that she had been sacked, allowing him to say: “Your viewers will enjoy my discomfort, but in this case it is difficult to comment if.” I just don’t know. ‘What’s going on.’
Labor leader Pat McFadden immediately took advantage of Lord Cameron’s return.
“A few weeks ago Rishi Sunak said David Cameron was part of a failed status quo, now he is bringing him back as his life raft,” he said.
“This undermines the Prime Minister’s ridiculous claim to offer a change after 13 years of Conservative failure.”
More than 100 arrests were made on Saturday after clashes between far-right groups and pro-Palestinian protesters in central London.
Ms Braverman’s intervention came as speculation about her political future raged after she clashed with Downing Street over a newspaper article, which critics said inflamed tensions.
Although Lord Cameron’s comeback sparked a gasp from the right, it was celebrated by some of his former allies
The Tories are well behind in the polls and MPs are becoming increasingly nervous about Sunak’s inability to make an impact
Police arrested a man during protests in central London on Saturday
Ahead of Saturday’s protests, the interior minister described them as a “hate march” and accused officials of “playing favorites” with the demonstrators. Last night, amid rumors of a cabinet reshuffle, she doubled down on her comments.
In uncompromising language, Ms Braverman tweeted that the chants, signs and placards carried by some protesters were “clearly criminal” and marked a “new low”.
She added: “Anti-Semitism and other forms of racism, as well as the valorization of terrorism on such a scale, are deeply disturbing.”
“This cannot continue.” Week after week, the streets of London are polluted by hate, violence and anti-Semitism. The population is bullied and intimidated. Jewish people in particular feel threatened. Further action is required.’