A Conservative MP who once suggested food shortages in Ireland could be used as leverage in Brexit talks has been named the UK Home Secretary.
Priti Patel, who resigned as international development secretary in 2017, completed her return to grace this evening.
Her comments last December that a report suggesting Ireland could face food shortages under a no-deal Brexit should have been “pressed home during the negations” caused anger in Ireland and she later said they were taken out of context.
She originally resigned her position amid controversy over unauthorised talks she held with the Israeli government.
Conservative MP Sajid Javid arrives at 10 Downing Street in London, 24-07-2019. Image: AP Photo/Matt DunhamBoris Johnson has this evening been putting together his new cabinet after he was confirmed as the UK Prime Minister.
Ms Patel’s appointment came after the former Home Secretary Sajid Javid was appointed as the new UK Chancellor.
He takes over from Philip Hammond who resigned his position in protest at Mr Johnson’s promise to leave the EU with or without a deal on October 31st.
Meanwhile, the former Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab has been appointed Foreign Secretary.
He is taking over from Mr Johnson’s rival for the Conservative Party leadership Jeremy Hunt.
The Rt Hon Dominic Raab @DominicRaab has been appointed Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs @foreignoffice, and First Secretary of State pic.twitter.com/XEJECtJPsS
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) July 24, 2019
Mr Hunt this evening said he was returning to the backbenches despite a ‘kind’ offer of a new job.
This evening it as confirmed that Karen Bradley has been fired as Northern Ireland Secretary. She is being replaced by Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith.
Mr Smith service as the House of Commons Chief Whip from November 2017 until July 2019.
The Rt Hon Julian Smith @JulianSmithUK has been appointed Secretary of State for Northern Ireland @NIOgov pic.twitter.com/RSm2tXc7Kl
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) July 24, 2019
It has also been confirmed that the current Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay will retain his role, while the former environment secretary Michael Gove has been appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
The Rt Hon Michael Gove @michaelgove has been appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster @cabinetofficeuk pic.twitter.com/F0WMudtRBR
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) July 24, 2019
Other ministerial appointments include:
- Ben Wallace has been promoted to Defence Secretary
- Elizabeth Truss has been appointed Trade Secretary,
- Matt Hancock will remain as Health Secretary
- Theresa Villiers has been appointed Environment Secretary
- Gavin Williamson has been appointed Education Secretary
- Nicky Morgan has been appointed Culture Secretary
- Andrea Leadsom has been appointed Business Secretary
- Robert Jenrick has been appointed Housing Secretary
- Amber Rudd will remain on as Work and Pensions Secretary
- Robert Buckland is the Secretary of State for Justice
- Alok Sharma is Secretary of State for International Development
- Grant Sharps is Secretary of State for Transport
- Alun Cairns is Secretary of State for Wales
- Alister Jack is Secretary of State for Scotland
- Natalie Evans is leader of the Hosue of Lords
- Geoffrey cox will remain on as Attorney General
More than a dozen ministers have either resigned or been sacked since Mr Johnson’s victory was confirmed.
