Braverman reappointed as Home Secretary
By Connor Steel
FAREHAM MP Suella Braverman has been officially reappointed as UK Home Secretary with the new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announcing his new Cabinet throughout Tuesday afternoon; her return coming just six days after she resigned from the same role due to a ‘technical’ breach of security rules and ministerial code.
It marks a dramatic turnaround from last Wednesday morning as Ms Braverman admitted sending an official document from a personal email account and stood down, making her the shortest serving Home Secretary in modern history after being given the top Cabinet role by former Prime Minister Liz Truss on September 6.
After attacking the Government in her resignation letter Ms Braverman backed Rishi Sunak in the leadership contest that followed the departure of Liz Truss herself on Thursday; the reward being an opportunity to work with the latest Prime Minister as they did under Boris Johnson in key Attorney General and Chancellor roles.
The Home Secretary will now return to her previous job description under Ms Truss; in which a key focus will be on border security, policing, safety on our streets, and immigration including controversial policy such as Rwanda-bound flights. She said on Tuesday: “I am honoured to be appointed by the Prime Minister to serve as Home Secretary. We will work hard to control our borders, maintain our security & keep our streets safe.”
But despite pleasing political right-wing MPs within the Conservative Party, Labour have slammed her return so soon after she resigned for “breaking the ministerial code”. Posting online their Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated: “Just a few hours into the job and Rishi Sunak is already putting party before country.”
‘He said he wants his Government to have “integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level” yet he has just appointed Suella Braverman to be Home Secretary again a week after she resigned for breaches of the Ministerial Code, security lapses, sending (very) sensitive Government information through unauthorised personal channels, and following weeks of non-stop public disagreements with her other Cabinet Ministers.”
She concluded by reiterating opposition shouts for an immediate general election which has been supported by an online petition of 435,000 signatures: “Our national security and public safety are too important for this kind of chaos. We don’t just need a new cabinet, we need a general election and (a) fresh start with Labour.”
Aside from Home Secretary there was multiple changes to key cabinet positions in Mr Sunak’s reshuffle, with Ms Braverman’s predecessor Grant Shapps moving to Business Secretary and Steven Barclay being named Health Secretary as he replaced Theresa Coffey. Dominic Raab was confirmed to be returning to cabinet as Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary position, with Mel Stride becoming Work & Pensions Secretary.
But others were simply kept in their previous positions including Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, who will give a key economic statement to the Commons next Monday afternoon (October 31). Penny Mordaunt further remains Leader of the House, James Cleverly is staying on as Foreign Secretary and Ben Wallace is continuing in his position as Defence Secretary; the latter previously threatening to leave if his department budget is lowered.
Readers are encouraged to visit media sites such as BBC News, Sky News and ITV News for all developing updates or reaction to this story; which includes the announcements of Junior Minister roles due tomorrow. A visual representation of Cabinet appointments today and MP profiles can be seen via this helpful online link.
PICTURED BY ALAMY (TWWB6M) Signage for the Home Office building in Central London, the department that Fareham MP Suella Braverman is leading again six days after resigning from the same Cabinet position.
