Sunak appoints ex-PM David Cameron as foreign secretary in shock cabinet reshuffle

David Cameron, British prime minister from 2010-2016, has been appointed as foreign secretary following a cabinet reshuffle in Downing Street.

A former prime minister returning to government in this way is pretty unusual.

Cameron’s reinstatement into the cabinet of Rishi Sunak, the current prime minister, was announced on Monday after Sunak sacked Suella Braverman, home secretary, for using “inflammatory” language in an article for the Times newspaper.

In her article, Braverman also described pro-Palestinian protesters as “hate marchers” and added: “I do not believe that these marches are merely a cry for help for Gaza”.

Her dismissal follows weeks of controversy in which she increasingly seemed to be following her own hard-right policy agenda, with a series of controversial statements, including a much-criticised description of homelessness as a “lifestyle choice”.

In a statement released after her exit, the former home secretary said the job has been “the greatest privilege of my life”.

“I will have more to say in due course,” she added.

This is the second time Braverman has lost the job of home secretary — after she resigned from former prime minister Liz Truss’s government for breaking the ministerial code.

Sunak reappointed her less than a week later when he took over as prime minister.

CAMERON IN, CLEVERLY RESHUFFLED

After sacking Braverman, Sunak announced James Cleverly, the foreign secretary, as her replacement.

Cameron was later confirmed as replacing Cleverley.

In a post on X, Cameron called his new boss a “strong and capable prime minister who is showing exemplary leadership at a difficult time”.

The new foreign secretary said he “gladly accepted” the offer, despite having “disagreed with some individual decisions by his successor”.

“I want to help him to deliver the security and prosperity our country needs and be part of the strongest possible team that serves the United Kingdom and that can be presented to the country when the general election is held,” he added.

Members of the ruling Conservative Party said Sunak’s reshuffle will strengthen his team and enable them to deliver on promises.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Hunt, who had been tipped to be moved as chancellor, was also confirmed as staying in his post.

Nick Gibb, schools minister, and Neil O’Brien, health minister, announced they were stepping down from their roles.