Rishi Sunak claims new cabinet ‘reflects united party’ as Suella Braverman and Michael Gove make shock return | Politics news

Rishi Sunak has reinstated Suella Braverman as home secretary just six days after she resigned, in a cabinet reshuffle that Downing Street said “reflected the unity of the party”.

Ms Braverman, a favorite of the right-wing Conservatives, resigned last Wednesday after admitting she sent protected government information from her personal email and was charged with breaching the ministerial code.

Labor’s Yvette Cooper accused the new prime minister of putting “party before country” in restoring her to one of the big four government jobs.

“Our national security and public safety are too important for this kind of chaos,” she said.

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Elsewhere in his new office, Mr. Sunak many of those in Ms Truss’ top team – including former business secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg and former justice minister Brandon Lewis – were being picked off, while rewarding his allies with cabinet roles.

His closest aide Oliver Dowden was rewarded with a promotion to chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, loyalist Mark Harper was given the role of transport secretary and Mr Sunak’s campaign manager Mel Stride was given work and pensions clearances.

But there was an element of continuity with the previous administration, with James Cleverley remaining as Foreign Secretary and Ben Wallace as Defense Secretary.

Mr Sunak has also revived the careers of experienced leaders, including Dominic Raab and Michael Gove, who were sacked by Boris Johnson in the final days of his government after calling on him to resign.

Mr Raab was appointed deputy prime minister and justice minister, roles he held under Mr Johnson before being sacked by Ms Truss.

Mr Gove returns as promotion secretary, a role he held until his sacking.

Sir Gavin Williamson makes a surprise return as a cabinet minister without portfolio, having been kicked out of government in 2019 when he was defense secretary over the National Security Council leak and then sacked as education minister in 2021 for monitored the impact of the pandemic on schools. .

Another returnee to the front benches is former housing minister Robert Jerrick, who has been appointed immigration minister.

Penny Mordaunt emerged from the new Cabinet as Leader of the House of Commons, failing to gain promotion after she challenged Mr Sunack for the leadership.

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Mr Sunak has confirmed he will keep Jeremy Hunt as chancellor in a bid to calm financial markets after saying in his first speech outside Number 10 he would correct the “mistakes” of his predecessor.

In a six-minute speech after his officially appointed Prime Minister by King Charleshe said Britain faced a “deep economic crisis” and prepared the nation for “difficult decisions” as he criticized his predecessor’s record.

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A Number 10 source said Mr Sunak’s cabinet “brings together the talents of the party”.

“It reflects a united party and cabinet with significant experience, ensuring continuity at this uncertain time at the heart of government,” the source said.

“The hard work starts now, and together the new Prime Minister’s Office will empower the British people.”

Mr Sunack spoke to both Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford on Tuesday night, seeking to distance himself from Ms Truss.

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The Prime Minister said he had “underscored” their commitment to working closely together, while Ms Sturgeon described the conversation as “constructive”.

His predecessor did not speak to any of the executives during her short tenure.

Mr. Sunak also spoke to US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his first few hours as prime minister.

Sky News learned on Wednesday morning that the new prime minister will hold the first meeting of his cabinet before meeting Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister’s Questions at midday.

He will then get to work tackling the cost-of-living crisis and balancing the country’s finances, while decisions need to be made quickly on what additional aid may be needed to help the most vulnerable.

The new prime minister will need to confirm whether his government will go ahead with its financial statement on Monday.

Mr Sunak became Britain’s first Asian prime minister and the youngest in more than 200 years when he was asked to form a government by the king at Buckingham Palace.

He entered Downing Street after winning the Conservative leadership contest on Monday, after Mr Johnson and Ms Mordaunt withdrew before a single vote was cast.

Mr Johnson, who was expected to return less than two months after stepping down as prime minister, congratulated Mr Sunak after speaking in Downing Street.

Mr Sunak is expected to finalize his government on Wednesday, appointing junior ministers.