Suella Braverman updates — Rishi Sunak hails new-look cabinet as David Cameron laughs off wisecrack as he enters No 10
RISHI Sunak's new-look cabinet has held its first meeting this morning following the sacking of Home Secretary Suella Braverman.
Braverman sparked outrage among some Conservatives after accusing the Met Police of bias towards left-wing protesters amid another weekend of pro-Palestine marches.
In a shock move, ex-prime minister David Cameron was named Foreign Secretary - seven years after he left Downing Street
The former prime minister was all smiles this morning after a Downing Street photographer asked him if he missed being “shouted at in the street”.
Opening today's meeting, Rishi said: “A warm welcome to those for whom it’s their first Cabinet and also a welcome to those for whom it may not be their first time. I know that this strong and united team is going to deliver that change for everybody.”
Read our Live Blog below for the latest news and updates...
Suella Braverman blasts Rishi Sunak with stinging letter
Suella Braverman has tonight accused Rishi Sunak of a "betrayal of your promise to the nation" in a blistering parting shot.
The axed Home Secretary mauled the PM in an extraordinary letter this evening - blasting him for "weak" leadership.
She said: "Someone needs to be honest: your plan is not working, we have endured record election defeats, your resets have failed and we are running out of time. You need to change course urgently."
Why was Suella Braverman sacked?
It has been hard to escape Suella Braverman's name in recent weeks, as her controversial opinions made headline after headline.
The PM blamed “differences of style” with Braverman and suggested the outspoken Cabinet Minister had breached collective responsibility with her unauthorised attack on the Met Police last week.
Others suggested her comments on homelessness, branding it a "lifestyle choice", went too far.
Critics pinned blame on her for stoking tensions ahead of last Saturday’s protests which saw far-right protesters descend on the Cenotaph.
The PM’s press secretary pointed to “issues around language” and added: “It is clearly very important that we have a united and strong team at the top of Government.”
More snaps from today's cabinet meeting
Here are some more pictures from today's new-look cabinet meeting.
David Cameron took part in a cabinet meeting for the first time since 2016 as Rishi Sunak reshuffled his team in a bid to win back voters.
Did Suella Braverman make a bid for the Tory leadership?
Suella Braverman did run to become the new Tory leader to replace Boris Johnson as Prime Minister and was officially named as a candidate on April 12, 2022.
She promised to slash taxes and shrink the size of the state but was eliminated in the second round of voting in July 2022 after receiving just 27 votes.
Braverman then got behind Truss, who ultimately won the contest and became the new Prime Minister on September 6, 2022.
Her short-lived tenure came to an end just a few weeks later on October 20, 2023, just a day after Braverman's resignation as Home Secretary.
Homelessness comments led to Suella’s sacking, reports claim
It was Suella Braverman’s claim that homelessness is a “lifestyle choice” that began discussions about her sacking in Downing Street, Sky News reports.
“I am told that the root of the decision to sack the home secretary came not with that (Article in the Times), but with her comments about homelessness being a lifestyle choice,” Sam Coats reports.
“It was after that that the civil service was sent out on Tuesday night and Wednesday to prepare those briefing packets for new ministers – a sign that a reshuffle is imminent.”
Tory right to 'raise hell' as Suella Braverman plots retaliation
Suella Braverman is plotting her retaliation following Rishi Sunak's decision to sack her.
The sacked former Home Secretary is set to produce a "dossier of failure" as the Tory right stages a fightback against the PM.
The damning retaliation could be released after Supreme Court judges release their verdict tomorrow at 10am on whether the Rwanda deportation plan is lawful.
Whitehall is braced for the outpouring after Ms Braverman said that she “will have more to say in due course” after her sacking was announced.
What did Rishi say during this morning's meeting?
Rishi Sunak led his new-look cabinet for the first time today, as he stressed the unity among his team.
Opening the meeting he said: “A warm welcome to those for whom it’s their first Cabinet and also a welcome to those for whom it may not be their first time.”
The Prime Minister added: “Our purpose is nothing less than to make the long-term decisions that are going to change our country for the better.
“We have an important week coming up, on Wednesday we’ve got inflation numbers, we’ll also have the Supreme Court ruling on our Rwanda plan – and next Wednesday the chancellor will be delivering an important autumn statement.
“Across all of that, I am confident that we can demonstrate to the country that we’re making progress on the priorities that I set out at the beginning of the year.”
“I know that this strong and united team is going to deliver that change for everybody.”
Changes to the Whip's Office confirmed
Downing Street has now confirmed the changes to the Whip that have been made in the last 24 hours.
They are:
- Stuart Anderson becomes Vice Chamberlain of HM Household;
- Dame Amanda Milling named a Government Whip (Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury);
- Joy Morrissey becomes a Government Whip (Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury);
- Mike Wood becomes a Government Whip (Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury);
- Aaron Bell to be an Assistant Government Whip;
- Mark Fletcher becomes an Assistant Government Whip;
- Mark Jenkinson becomes an Assistant Government Whip;
- Suzanne Webb becomes an Assistant Government Whip.
‘I will be held to account’, says David Cameron
In his first interview as Foreign Secretary, the now Lord Cameron said he will be held accountable properly in his new role, despite not facing regular questioning from MPs in the Commons.
“I will be held to account in the House of Lords where I have to account for myself and the Government,” he said.
He said Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell and others will be held to account in the lower chamber.
Lord Cameron added: “Of course, this Government, my role in it, all of that will be accountable to the electorate at the general election when it comes but in the meantime I want to do everything to strengthen our alliances, to work with our friends, to build those vital partnerships, to make sure our country is secure and prosperous in a difficult and dangerous world.”
'An important week ahead'
Rishi Sunak told his cabinet that the work starts now as he opened the first meeting of his new-look team.
He said: "We have an important week coming up, on Wednesday we've got inflation numbers, we'll also have the Supreme Court ruling on our Rwanda plan - and next Wednesday the chancellor will be delivering an important autumn statement.
"Across all of that, I am confident that we can demonstrate to the country that we're making progress on the priorities that I set out at the beginning of the year."
'Build a better future'
Rishi Sunak stressed his team's goal is to "build a better future" for Brits.
He told his new-look cabinet: "We want to build a better future for our children and for our grandchildren.
"That is what this team is going to do, whether it's navigating the crises in Ukraine and the Middle East, demonstrating we will stand up for our values and provide security for everyone here at home, but also to make the big, bold decisions that will drive change - a new approach to infrastructure spending, ushering in a generation of children that will grow up smoke-free, reforms to how we approach net zero to save families thousands of pounds and radically reforming our education system."
Rishi welcomes new and old faces as opens cabinet
The first images of Rishi Sunak's new-look cabinet have been revealed.
Opening the meeting, Rishi Sunak said: "A warm welcome to those for whom it's their first Cabinet and also a welcome to those for whom it may not be their first time."
The Prime Minister added: "Our purpose is nothing less than to make the long-term decisions that are going to change our country for the better.
"I know that this strong and united team is going to deliver that change for everybody."
How can David Cameron be Foreign Sec if he isn’t an MP?
David Cameron is no longer an MP, so how can he become a Foreign Secretary?
Well, he has been sworn into the House of Lords, officially making him Lord Cameron.
The former PM is currently meeting with Rishi Sunak as the Tories' new-look cabinet meets for the first time.
In pictures: New-look cabinet arrives at Downing Street for first meeting
Rishi Sunak's new-look cabinet has arrived at Downing Street for its first meeting.
Rishi's new-look Cabinet begins first meeting
Rishi Sunak's new-look Cabinet is beginning its first meeting, as David Cameron's return risks a revolt from the right wing of the party.
In Westminster Foreign Secretary David Cameron is taking part in his first Cabinet meeting since quitting No10 in 2016.
Meanwhile, allies of Suella Braverman are reportedly preparing to stage a revolt that could see dozens of no confidence letters submitted and MPs revealing "damning evidence" about the PM.
What is next for Suella Braverman?
Suella Braverman was sacked from her role as home secretary yesterday, but many feel this is just the beginning of her time in frontline UK politics.
Speaking after her sacking, Ms Braverman said: “It has been the greatest privilege of my life to serve as home secretary.
“I will have more to say in due course.”
This indicates the former home sec plans to make a return to frontline politics in the months to come.
However, some sources within the Tory party believe her influence has been overblown, dismissing the chance of a leadership bid in the future.
“She’s not got loads of support among MPs, despite what it may seem,” one Conservative source told The Times.
Who is Esther McVey?
Esther McVey was born in Liverpool and graduated in law before becoming a graduate trainee with the BBC in 1991.
She went on to work in media for the next 10 years as a broadcaster and a journalist for GMTV, numerous BBC shows and Channel 4.
In 2010, Esther became the first and only Conservative MP on Merseyside since 1997.
Esther McVey named 'common sense tsar' in bid to appease Tory right
Esther McVey made a shock return to the Cabinet yesterday as Rishi Sunak's "common sense tsar."
Tasked with tackling "wokery", Ms McVey's appointment appears to be an olive branch to the right wing of the Tory party.
MPs loyal to Suella Braverman are fuming that she was sacked as Home Secretary.
The PM will hope the appointment of Ms McVey placates concerns about a shift away from the right.
THE SUN SAYS: Rishi Sunak’s Government will be judged on its results not personalities
The following is an extract from a comment piece by The Sun...
Rishi Sunak’s Government will be judged not on its personalities but its results. The PM had better pray that his new team can deliver.
We get that axed Home Secretary Suella Braverman had become a loose cannon for No10.
David Cameron, meanwhile, may make a decent Foreign Secretary.
His astonishing return may even remind some floating voters why they handed his Tories a majority in 2015.
It is likely to remind others, in Red Wall seats especially, why they backed Brexit against his Remain campaign.
Is David Cameron an MP?
David Cameron is not an MP, having resigned as MP to Witney in 2016.
The politician, who has had four children with wife Samantha, had served as a constituency MP since 2001.
Cameron left his MP role at the same time he quit as Prime Minister - the morning after the UK voted for Brexit on June 23, 2016.
His reign as PM was, of course, defined by the results of the EU referendum, after he decided to call for the vote.
Yesterday, he was sworn into the House of Lords, thus allowing him to become foreign secretary despite having no democratic mandate.
How did Suella Braverman vote on Brexit?
Braverman is a supporter of Brexit and said that leaving the EU “would best serve our national interest”.
In July 2022 she told : “Brexit was not a revolution, it was a restoration.”
She continued: “A government I lead will safeguard Brexit, take on the Blairite liberal consensus and get this country back on track.”
Labour responds to Cameron’s return
Responding to the shock comeback, Pat McFadden MP, Labour’s National Campaign Coordinator, said: “A few weeks ago, Rishi Sunak said David Cameron was part of a failed status quo, now he’s bringing him back as his life raft.
“This puts to bed the Prime Minister’s laughable claim to offer change from 13 years of Tory failure.”
Victoria Atkins appointed Health Secretary
Victoria Atkins is the new Health Secretary after being appointed in the ministerial reshuffle.
Ms Atkins, who previously served as financial secretary to the Treasury, left No 10 at 2.30pm.
Vicky Atkins to Health, here we go 🚨🔵🔴
The NHS has record resources with the Conservatives: more nurses, more doctors, more money and a long-term workforce plan. — Conservatives (@Conservatives)Steve Barclay appointed Environment Secretary
Former British health minister Steve Barclay has been appointed Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s office confirmed the appointment, as part of a reshuffle of his top team.
The former health secretary left No 10 shortly after 2pm on Monday.
Barclay takes over from Thérèse Coffey who resigned earlier today.
Laura Trott appointed chief secretary to the Treasury
Laura Trott has been promoted from pensions minister to chief secretary to the Treasury, No 10 says.
Laura Trott MBE MP has been appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury — UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet)