Suella Braverman returns as home secretary
Downing Street has announced Suella Braverman’s reappointment as home secretary, less than a week after she was forced to resign from the role.
Braverman, a leading rightwinger, was sacked by Liz Truss last Wednesday because she sent an official document from her personal email to a fellow MP, in a serious breach of ministerial rules.
Key events
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Evening summary
Good evening and thank you for reading today’s live coverage of the appointment of the UK’s third prime minister in as many months, Rishi Sunak.
My name is Charlie Moloney and I have taken you through the last few hours of updates. We are closing the blog now but here is a summary of some of the most significant UK leadership news from today:
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Suella Braverman returned as home secretary. Downing Street announced her reappointment as home secretary, less than a week after she was forced to resign from the role.
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Sunak’s leadership rival Penny Mordaunt has been reappointed Commons leader. Downing Street said Mordaunt would be lord president of the council and leader of the House of Commons.
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Jacob Rees-Mogg resigned as business secretary by sending Sunak a handwritten note. The so-called Member for the 18th Century dated the letter “St Crispin’s Day”.
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Rishi Sunak said he has spoken with Mark Drakeford and Nicola Sturgeon. Scotland’s first minister confirmed she had spoken to Rishi Sunak in what she said was a “constructive call”.
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Rishi Sunak and Joe Biden discussed the war in Ukraine during a call on Tuesday evening, as the US president called the UK his country’s “closest ally”.
Tory MP Richard Holden said that Rishi Sunak would “fix’’ the “damage done’’ by Liz Truss’s government and promised an end to the political turmoil of recent weeks.
He told BBC Newsnight: “Undoubtedly damage has been done, but we’ve got to fix that.
“We’ve got to fix that as quickly as possible. And that’s exactly what Rishi is doing tonight.
“And I think with a cabinet which can provide economic credibility, it can provide competence and it can provide unity. That’s the best thing to do. Because all of those things actually play back in a positive feedback loop with the financial markets. When they see instability, then you have a bigger problem, and then it feeds back on itself in the parliamentary party.’’
He continued: “He’ll be able to get his legislation through parliament. You won’t see any further political turmoil.’’
Joe Biden says the UK remains his country’s ‘closest ally’ in call with Rishi Sunak
Rishi Sunak and Joe Biden discussed the war in Ukraine during a call on Tuesday evening, as the US president called the UK his country’s “closest ally”.
A Downing Street spokesperson told PA Media that Biden congratulated Sunak on his appointment, adding that “the leaders looked forward to working closely together”.
Relations between the two countries have been somewhat strained in recent years amid ongoing UK-EU tensions over post-Brexit arrangements in Northern Ireland, with White House concerns over the impact on peace in the region.
The issue appears to have come up in the call, according to details released by Downing Street, as well as the war in Ukraine and the rising power of China.
The spokesperson said: “President Biden congratulated the prime minister on his appointment and the leaders looked forward to working closely together. President Biden said that the UK remains America’s closest ally, and the prime minister agreed on the huge strength of the relationship.”
Nicola Sturgeon confirmed she had spoken to Rishi Sunak in what she said was a “constructive call”. Scotland’s first minister had previously complained after not receiving a call from Liz Truss more than a month after she became prime minister, describing the situation as “absurd” and “unprecedented”.
Constructive call with @RishiSunak tonight. I expressed hope that we will build a UK/Scot gov relationship based on mutual respect – inc for mandates – and my fear that further austerity will do real damage to people & public services. I look forward to further engagement soon
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) October 25, 2022
Cabinet reflects ‘a unified party’, No 10 says as reshuffle concludes
As Rishi Sunak concluded his reshuffle, a No 10 source told PA Media: “This cabinet brings the talents of the party together.
“It reflects a unified party and a cabinet with significant experience, ensuring that at this uncertain time there is continuity at the heart of government.
“The hard work begins now and together, the prime minister’s new cabinet will deliver for the British people.”
Rishi Sunak said he has spoken with Mark Drakeford and Nicola Sturgeon. The prime minister said he “emphasised our duty to work closely together”.
Good to speak to @PrifWeinidog and @NicolaSturgeon this evening.
I emphasised our duty to work closely together to respond to the shared challenges we face, so that collectively we can deliver for the people of the United Kingdom.
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) October 25, 2022
Johnny Mercer has said his determination to help veterans “remains unbowed” as he returned as veterans’ minister.
My determination to make this the best country in the world to be an Armed Forces Veteran remains unbowed.
Delighted to return to Cabinet this evening, and looking forward to the mission supporting @RishiSunak pic.twitter.com/jdMBlDK35p
— Rt Hon Johnny Mercer (@JohnnyMercerUK) October 25, 2022
Green MP Caroline Lucas has criticised the appointment of Thérèse Coffey as environment secretary. The MP for Brighton Pavilion accused Coffey of making reckless comments in her previous role as health secretary.
Getting rid of Thérèse Coffey as Health Secretary was essential. She was dangerous with her shocking and reckless comments on antibiotics, and her total inability to do the job. But making her Environment Secretary?? No!! 😱😱
— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) October 25, 2022
Rishi Sunak has said that he has spoken to the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky this evening, as he pledged to continue supporting Ukraine as prime minister.
A privilege to speak to the President of Ukraine @ZelenskyyUa this evening.
Both he and the Ukrainian people can count on the UK’s continued solidarity and support.
We will always stand with Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/ycVr3K0DVS
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) October 25, 2022
Andrew Mitchell appointed development minister
The newly reappointed home secretary Suella Braverman has said she was honoured to join Rishi Sunak’s cabinet.
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 and keep our streets safe. https://t.co/xKL1G1Gwhn
— Suella Braverman MP (@SuellaBraverman) October 25, 2022
Robert Jenrick appointed immigration minister
Gavin Williamson becomes minister without portfolio
Tom Tugendhat appointed security minister
Rishi Sunak will speak to Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon this evening, a Scottish government spokesperson has confirmed.
Sturgeon previously claimed that she did not hear from Sunak’s predecessor, Liz Truss, even once during her time as prime minister.
The outgoing transport secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan has offered her congratulations to her successor Mark Harper.
