Cameron, Ms Braverman, inset and Cleverman, inset up.
David Cameron made a shock comeback today as Rishi Sunak sacked Suella Braverman in a reshuffle described as ‘trolling’ the Tory Right.
The PM moved to oust Ms Braverman as he tries to restore his authority with potentially less than a year to a general election.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, a close ally of Mr Sunak with less trenchant views on the European Convention on Human Rights, is taking over in the Home Office.
In a decision that sent an earthquake through Westminster, Mr Cameron has been given a peerage and is filling Mr Cleverly’s old role. He is the first member of the Upper House to hold the role since Lord Carrington in the 1980s.
Just weeks ago Mr Cameron condemned Mr Sunak’s decision to downgrade the HS2 rail project. He is deeply distrusted by the Tory right after heading the Remain campaign before quitting in 2016, and also fostered closer relations with China as premier.
In a statement, the now Lord Cameron said: ‘We are facing a daunting set of international challenges, including the war in Ukraine and the crisis in the Middle East.
‘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.
‘While I have been out of front-line politics for the last seven years, I hope that my experience – as Conservative Leader for eleven years and Prime Minister for six – will assist me in helping the Prime Minister to meet these vital challenges.’
The sacking of Ms Braverman comes after an extraordinary week of rowing over handling of pro-Palestinian protests in London on Armistice Day.
She drew the fury of No10 by lashing out at ‘hate marches’ and then penning an article accusing the police of bias without getting it cleared.
Critics have blamed her for inflaming violence with far-right counter-protesters taking to the streets – although the Tories are badly split with supporters saying the grim scenes in the capital proved her right.
The stunning developments were greeted with extreme sarcasm by one former minister in the right-wing ERG bloc. ‘We’re ecstatic. All we need is for Tobias Ellwood to be Defence Secretary and our joy will be complete,’ they said.
A Tory aide said Mr Sunak was engaged in ‘top trolling of the right’.
A Downing Street source said: ‘Rishi Sunak has asked Suella Braverman to leave government and she has accepted.’
In an ominous response, 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.’
