David Cameron appointed foreign secretary and made peer in shock cabinet reshuffle move

David Cameron has been appointed as foreign secretary as a cabinet reshuffle kicks off in Downing Street.

The former prime minister, who was given the role while in Number 10 this morning, said he “gladly accepted” the offer from Rishi Sunak, despite having “disagreed with some individual decisions” by his successor.

Mr Cameron called his new boss a “strong and capable prime minister who is showing exemplary leadership at a difficult time”, adding: “I want to help him to deliver the security and prosperity our country needs and be part of the strongest possible team that serves the United Kingdom and that can be presented to the country when the general election is held.”

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The ex-party leader is no longer an elected politician as he stood down as an MP in 2016, having called the Brexit referendum and his campaign to remain in the EU losing the vote.

But the government has confirmed he will now enter the House of Lords as a life peer, giving him the opportunity to serve as a minister once more.

The shock announcement came after the sacking of Suella Braverman as home secretary, who provoked widespread condemnation for an article she wrote in The Times, accusing the police of “playing favourites” with left-wing groups over right-wing and national activists.

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It was the latest in a string of controversial remarks by the Tory MP, who is a popular member on the right of the party, including her claiming being homeless was a “lifestyle choice”.

We are expecting more movement at the very top of government as the day goes on, so keep up to date with who’s in and who’s out in our list below.

Who is in?

Mr Cameron, who brought the Tories back to power as part of a coalition with the Liberal Democrats in 2010, has returned to government as foreign secretary.

Many of the party’s One Nation MPs – closer to the centre of politics – may welcome the return of Mr Cameron, who secured them two victories at general elections and is well known internationally.

But he does not come without his controversies including his austerity policies, decisions over Brexit, his push for closer ties with China, and accusations of lobbying when employed by Greensill.

In a lengthy statement released after his appointment, Mr Cameron said the UK faces a “daunting set of international challenges”, including wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

He said: “While I have been out of frontline 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.”

Having served as foreign secretary since September last year – after being appointed by then prime minister Liz Truss – James Cleverly will now move to the Home Office as home secretary.

Tweeting after the announcement, he said it was an “honour to be appointed”, adding: “The goal is clear.

“My job is to keep people in this country safe.”

Jeremy Hunt will remain chancellor, having been brought in by Ms Truss after the disaster of her mini-budget, and kept on by Mr Sunak.

Who is out?

As we have reported, Ms Braverman has been sacked as home secretary and is no longer a minister of any kind, so will return to the backbenches as an MP.

In a statement released after her dismissal, 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.”

It is the second time she has lost the job of home secretary after she resigned from Ms Truss’s government for breaking the ministerial code.

Schools Minister Nick Gibb has said he has quit the government and will not stand at the next general election, adding: “I campaigned for Rishi last summer and I remain an enthusiastic supporter of the prime minister’s leadership.”

Health Minister Neil O’Brien also announced he is stepping down – despite being due to play a key role in delivering Mr Sunak’s ban on smoking and vaping in the younger generation.

Will Quince, the junior health minister, has also stepped down from his role in a letter to the prime minister.

In it, he said due to his decision to stand down as an MP at the next election and recently becoming a specialist reserve officer in the army, “now feels like the right time to leave government”.

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