Cabinet reshuffle: David Cameron and James Cleverly form inner circle

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announces changes after sacking Suella Braverman amid political fallout from pro-Palestine protests in London

David Cameron has been appointed Foreign Secretary and James Cleverly is the new Home Secretary in a cabinet reshuffle on Monday.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the changes would “strengthen his team in government to deliver long-term decisions for a brighter future”.

Mr Cameron's surprise return to government comes after he stepped down as UK prime minister in 2016 following the Brexit referendum. No longer an MP, he will be made a peer to take his place in the cabinet.

The former UK Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi told The National that Mr Cameron’s appointment would have a positive impact on the current strife experienced in the Middle East. “This is a very positive decision by the Prime Minister,” he said.

“David Cameron is both highly knowledgeable and as a former prime minister he carries much weight with leaders in the Middle East. A big focus for him now will be to address the turmoil that the region is currently experiencing.”

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Cameron, now known as Lord Cameron, said the UK faced “international challenges, including the war in Ukraine and the crisis in the Middle East”.

Mr Cameron also said that while “I may have disagreed with some individual decisions” made by Mr Sunak, he “is a strong and capable Prime Minister, who is showing exemplary leadership at a difficult time”.

“At this time of profound global change, it has rarely been more important for this country to stand by our allies, strengthen our partnerships and make sure our voice is heard,” he said.

The reshuffle came as Mr Sunak sacked Suella Braverman as home secretary, after her comments ahead of a pro-Palestine march in central London on Saturday.

Critics accused her of fuelling tensions between police and demonstrators and “emboldening” far-right protesters, some of whom were arrested after clashes with police near the Cenotaph.

Ms Braverman's replacement Mr Cleverly is an old ally of Boris Johnson and was a staunch backer of Liz Truss before her short-lived stint in No 10.

A protester attends a gathering in Belgrave Square, calling for a 'Ceasefire Now', during a demonstration organised by the group Jews For Palestine, in London on Saturday, before a 'National March For Palestine'. AFP

Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators set off in London on Armistice Day in what was one of the largest political marches in British history. AFP

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had described a planned march in London on Saturday - Armistice Day, when Britain honours its war dead - as "provocative and disrespectful" and suggested London's Metropolitan Police ban it. AFP

Police said the march in support of Palestinians does not meet the legal threshold for requesting a government order to stop it going ahead. AFP

A remembrance for the children who have been killed in Israeli air strikes since the beginning of the Israel-Gaza war at the steps of Trafalgar Square as part of the demonstration. Getty Images

Many women were taking part in the march. EPA

Protesters gather with placards and flags in central London. AFP

A coalition of groups are behind the march including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Friends of Al Aqsa, Stop the War Coalition, Muslim Association of Britain, Palestinian Forum in Britain and Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. EPA

A protestor wearing a face mask and a Palestinian flag takes part in the 'National March For Palestine' in central London. AFP

Members of the Ultra-Orthodox Jewish community take part in the 'National March For Palestine' in central London. AFP

Police officers patrol Parliament Square with far-right counter-protesters nearby

A man is detained by police officers on the day of a protest in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza in London. Reuters

Far-right activist Tommy Robinson with counter-protesters in London's Chinatown. PA

Ms Truss rewarded Mr Cleverly by making him foreign secretary, with Mr Sunak reappointing him in October 2022.

Mr Cleverly said his goal now was to “keep people in this country safe”.

“It is an honour to be appointed as Home Secretary,” he tweeted. “The goal is clear. My job is to keep people in this country safe.”

Mr Cameron will face a more complex and unstable world on his return to government as Foreign Secretary, the most pressing of which is the Israel-Gaza war, which could still escalate into a regional conflict.

Charlotte Leslie, the director of the influential Conservative Middle East Council, said Mr Cameron’s appointment came at a “crucial time” for the region with someone who understood the complex issues.

“David Cameron is an astute appointment,” she told The National. “His predecessor, James Cleverly, as the new home secretary has a strong understanding of the regional issues currently being felt domestically, and David Cameron takes on the role as a very experienced, respected politician, bringing long-standing trusted relationships to the table at a crucial time.”

Former prime minister Theresa May, who served as home secretary in Mr Cameron’s government, said the former Conservative leader’s experience on the international stage “will be invaluable” in his role as Foreign Secretary.

Former British Prime Minister David Cameron outside 10 Downing Street amid a government reshuffle. Reuters

Mr Cameron's surprise return to government comes after he stepped down as UK prime minister in 2016 following the Brexit referendum. PA

Newly appointed Home Secretary James Cleverly leaves Downing Street on Monday morning. PA

Mr Cleverly replaces Suella Braverman, pictured here leaving her home on Monday morning, as Home Secretary. Reuters

Mr Braverman and Mr Cleverly attend the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph on Sunday. Ms Braverman was sacked after she wrote an article that was heavily critical of the police ahead of Saturday's pro-Palestine march in central London. Reuters

Ms Braverman listens to Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as he hosts a policing roundtable at 10 Downing Street in October. She courted controversy throughout her time in Cabinet and is believed to have designs on the leadership of the Conservative Party. AP

As recently as Thursday, Mr Cleverly was in Saudi Arabia discussing efforts to prevent escalation with Middle Eastern foreign ministers, and Mr Cameron will face the immediate task of carrying on that diplomatic effort.

Mr Cameron will not face the regular sessions of Foreign Office questions, with more junior ministers instead fielding questions in the Commons chamber.

Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy criticised the situation, which will also mean that major statements are either made first in the Upper Chamber by Lord Cameron or by a less senior minister in the Commons.

Mr Lammy said that during an “international crisis”, Rishi Sunak “has chosen an unelected failure from the past who MPs cannot even hold to account”.

Mr Cameron is now the 15th former prime minister to serve in a later government led by someone else, according to a UK government blog from November 2012.

Sir Alec Douglas-Home, who served for just under a year as prime minister after taking office in October 1963, was later appointed foreign secretary by Edward Heath.

He held the role from 1970 until 1974 and is the last former PM to return to government under a different leader.

With the autumn statement due next week, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt remains in his post.

Britain's new Foreign Secretary David Cameron, fourth right, attends his first Cabinet meeting at No 10 Downing Street. AP

Mr Cameron speaks with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as he is appointed Foreign Secretary. Photo: No 10 Downing Street

Mr Cameron arrives at 10 Downing Street, seven years after he stepped down as prime minister. Reuters

Mr Cameron alongside fellow former Prime Ministers Gordon Brown, Tony Blair and John Major at the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph in London. Getty Images

David Cameron at the National Service of Thanksgiving to Celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul's Cathedral in London in 2022. Getty Images

Mr Cameron leaves his home in London to give evidence to a select committee on Greensill in 2021. Getty Images

David Cameron resigned as Prime Minister outside 10 Downing Street in June 2016. Getty Images

David Cameron on his campaign bus in 2016 on the final day of campaigning on whether Britain should remain or leave the EU. Getty Images

China's President Xi Jinping and David Cameron at a joint press conference in 10 Downing Street in 2015. Getty Images

David Cameron stands with then-London Mayor Boris Johnson in 2012. Getty Images

Vladimir Putin with David Cameron at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Getty Images

Mr Cameron is greeted by wellwishers during a visit to Tripoli in September 2011. Getty Images

Mr Cameron and US President Barack Obama walk in the gardens of Lancaster House in 2011. Getty Images

David Cameron and George Osborne at a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, in 2010. Getty Images

David Cameron with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg on their first day of coalition government on May 2010 in London. Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth greets David Cameron at Buckingham Palace for an audience to invite him to be the next Prime Minister, in May 2010. Getty Images

Former Conservative Party leader David Cameron, Liberal Democrat leader Mr Clegg and then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown debate during the third and final leader's debate in Birmingham in 2010. Getty Images

David Cameron at the Great Brook Charity run in 2009 in Chadlington, Oxfordshire. Getty Images

David Cameron, George Osborne and William Hague walk to the International Conference Centre during the Conservative Party conference in 2008 in Birmingham. Getty Images

David Cameron waves to supporters with his wife Samantha after winning the leadership election in 2005 in London. Getty Images

David Cameron celebrates with supporters at his constituency office in 2005 in Witney, Oxfordshire. Getty Images

He has been under pressure from some Tory MPs to offer tax cuts in the build-up to the general election expected next year but has prioritised efforts to cut inflation.

Meanwhile, Mr Sunak promoted roads and local transport minister Richard Holden to Tory chairman, replacing Greg Hands in the key role at party headquarters.

In the junior ranks, Will Quince and Neil O’Brien both quit as health ministers, while veteran schools minister Nick Gibb also left his post, Jesse Norman departed from the Department for Transport and Rachel Maclean was sacked as housing minister.

Therese Coffey also resigned as environment secretary, saying it that it was “now the right time to step back from government” in a letter to the Prime Minister.

Steve Barclay will step down as health secretary to take the role, Downing Street announced. Victoria Atkins will be the new Health Secretary.