(CNN) — British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak carried out a major cabinet reshuffle on Monday, sacking controversial hardline Home Secretary Suella Braverman and, in a surprise move, reinstating one of his predecessors, former Prime Minister David Cameron, as Foreign Secretary.
Cameron said he had “voluntarily” accepted the post of British Foreign Secretary, following Braverman’s sacking on Monday morning.
Cameron, who is not an MP, was given the title of Baron, allowing him to sit in the House of Lords and work in the Government.
“Even though I have been away from the political frontline for seven years, I hope my experience – as Conservative leader for eleven years and Prime Minister for six years – will help me support the Prime Minister. [Rishi Sunak] to face these important challenges,” he continued.
Downing Street confirmed that James Cleverly, the former foreign secretary, would replace Braverman. In turn, Cleverly was replaced by Cameron, who stepped down as prime minister in 2016 after Britain voted to leave the European Union, in a referendum he himself called.
Braverman was Sunak’s Home Secretary during his tenure in Downing Street, but his confrontational rhetoric towards migrants, protesters, police and even homeless people has caused divisions within Sunak’s Cabinet and fueled speculation that he is planning a future leadership bid.
British Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s inflammatory rhetoric has angered many members of her own party. He was fired on November 13. (Credit: Toby Melville/Reuters)
Braverman recently came under fire for accusing London police of applying “double standards” in the management of the protests, in an opinion piece published in the Times newspaper in which he condemned the upcoming pro-Palestinian demonstrations that Downing Street said had taken place. not given permission by Sunak.
On Saturday, far-right protesters clashed with police in central London after Braverman called a pro-Palestinian demonstration a “hate march.”
His departure from government comes at a time when Sunak’s party remains deeply unpopular with voters, and opinion polls show the Conservatives are heading for a major defeat in next year’s election.
CNN asked Downing Street for more information.
The Conservative Party, which rules in Britain, this Monday confirmed there was a “reshuffle” of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government.
In a post on
“Today Rishi Sunak strengthened his team in government to make long-term decisions for a brighter future,” the post said. “Stay tuned for the latest news.”
— With reporting from Catherine Nicholls in London.
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