LONDON: Former UK leader David Cameron sensationally returned to the British government as foreign secretary on Monday, as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak shook up his top team ahead of a general election expected next year.
Cameron, 57, quit as prime minister in 2016 after losing the Brexit referendum. He stood down as an MP the same year. He became mired in scandal in 2021, after lobbying the UK government for finance group Greensill Capital, which later collapsed and the episode was seen as badly tarnishing his reputation.
Cameron will be made a life peer in the House of Lords, Britain´s upper chamber of parliament, Downing Street announced, meaning that he can sit in government. The former leader said he “gladly accepted” the role as Britain faced “a daunting set of international challenges”.
“While I have been out of front-line politics for the last seven years, I hope that my experience -- as Conservative leader for 11 years and prime minister for six -- will assist me in helping the prime minister to meet these vital challenges,” Cameron added.
The changes are part of Sunak´s first major reshuffle of his top ministers since becoming the country´s leader in October last year. The Conservatives, in power for nearly 14 years, said the changes “strengthen his team in government to deliver long-term decisions for a brighter future”. Set to be announced throughout the day, they are also expected to reward loyalists and younger emerging MPs, as the party struggles for popularity.