Cameron, Cleverly: Rishi Sunak introduces new team ‘ready to deliver changes’
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday brought back former leader David Cameron as Foreign Minister.
In a reshuffle triggered by his firing of Interior Minister Suella Braverman after her criticism of police threatening his authority. The development came after the ever-controversial Braverman defied Sunak last week, in an unauthorised article accusing police of “double standards” at protests, suggesting they were tough on right-wing demonstrators, but easy on pro-Palestinian marchers.
According to Sunak’s press secretary, the UK Prime Minister launched the reshuffle to create a “strong, united team that will be focused on delivery”, after the government had come under fire for failing to meet some of its pledges.
Taking to X, Sunak on Monday introduced a “united team ready to deliver the changes this country needs for the long term.”
“This is a team that will be bold in making the right decisions for our great country, not the easy ones,” the British Prime Minister said.
James Cleverly, previously Foreign Minister, was appointed to replace Braverman. He is seen as a safe pair of hands and said his new role was “to keep people in this country safe”.
His first challenge will come on Wednesday when the Supreme Court rules on whether asylum seekers can be deported to Rwanda. A defeat would lead some lawmakers to amplify calls for Britain to quit the European Convention on Human Rights, news agency Reuters reported.
Further, British lawmaker Laura Trott was appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury, replacing John Glen.
The role is one of the most senior ministerial positions within the finance ministry and carries responsibility for organising government departmental spending.
DAVID CAMERON’s RETURN
Cameron served as the UK Prime Minister from 2010 to 2016 and Leader of the Conservative Party from 2005 to 2016.
The 57-year-old had resigned as prime minister in June 2016 soon after he lost in the Brexit referendum, having campaigned for the UK to remain within the European Union (EU). At the time, he was directly at odds with Sunak – then a junior minister – who had campaigned for Britain to leave the EU.
Some Brexit supporters said Cameron’s role in the Brexit vote meant the “remain” wing of the party had taken over, while others questioned how Sunak could bring back a man who in 2021 was criticised for lobbying the government during the Covid-19 pandemic, on behalf of supply chain finance firm Greensill as it collapsed.
Asked about the case, Cameron said “all those things were dealt with by the Treasury select committee, by other inquiries… as far as I am concerned that is all dealt with”, Reuters reported.