Lindsay Hoyle seeks urgent advice after being caught off guard by David Cameron appointment
Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle has taken a swipe at Rishi Sunak over his appointment of David Cameron to the Foreign Office
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Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle has taken a swipe at Rishi Sunak over his appointment of David Cameron to the Foreign Office.
Hoyle said he has commissioned advice from parliamentary officials to ensure the Foreign Office’s work is scrutinised “effectively” by MPs given new Foreign Secretary David Cameron will sit in the House of Lords.
The Speaker said it is "especially important" the House of Commons is able to scrutnise the work of the Foreign Office, given the "gravity" of the "current international situation.
Hoyle told MPs: “This is not the first time in recent years that a Cabinet minister has been appointed in the House of Lords, but given the gravity of the current international situation, it is especially important that this House is able to scrutinise the work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office effectively.
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“I have therefore commissioned advice from the clerks about possible options for enhancing (scrutiny) of the work of the Foreign Secretary when that post is filled by a member of the other House.
“I also look forward to hearing the Government’s proposals on how the Foreign Secretary will be properly accountable to this House.”
Cameron was appointed to the Foreign Office at a reshuffle earlier today, after James Cleverly was appointed Home Secretary.
Cleverly was moved to the Home Office after Suella Braverman was sacked by the Prime Minister, following her unauthorised Op-Ed criticising the Met Police was published last week.
The last time a former Prime Minister came back to the Cabinet was Alec Douglas Home, who returned to the Cabinet as Foreign Secretary in 1970..
In a statement after his appointment, Cameron said: “I may have disagreed with some individual decisions” made by Rishi Sunak, but added that he “is a strong and capable Prime Minister, who is showing exemplary leadership at a difficult time”.
He said: "The Prime Minister has asked me to serve as his Foreign Secretary and I have gladly accepted.
"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."
Today's reshuffle saw Environment Secretary Therese Coffey step down, saying in her letter it is time to "step back", with former Health Secretary Steve Barclay replacing her.
Victoria Atkins has stepped into Barclay's old role in the Department of Health, while Richard Holden has replaced Greg Hands as party chairman.
Speaking ahead of the reshuffle, a No10 source told GB News that Rishi Sunak "wants a united team to deliver the changes this country needs for the long term."
In a brief statement after his appointment, Cleverly said: "It is an honour to be appointed as Home Secretary. The goal is clear. My job is to keep people in this country safe."
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Suella Braverman was sacked by the Prime Minister, following her unauthorised Op-Ed criticising the Met Police was published last week.
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Asked if he wants to distance himself from the language used by his predecessor Suella Braverman, Cleverly told broadcasters: "I intend to do this job in the way I feel best protects the British people and our interests."
But hitting out at Sunak's decision to put Cleverly in the Home Office, a source on the right of the party said he "does not have the calibre to deal with the Home Office", warning: "It is the most challenging department by far".
They added: "People are right when they say he is a great guy, but that does not make a great Home Secretary."
Former Conservative MP Neil Parish said the Prime Minister should “prepare for war” following the sacking of Suella Braverman.
He told GB News: “Rishi Sunak better prepare for war I think because of course she is very much, Suella, the standard bearer of the right of the party.
“Now, I can understand, as Home Secretary she was probably ill-advised to make these comments, the problem is she does reflect a lot of opinion in the country and it will be very interesting now to see what happens, but I suspect Rishi Sunak in the end was left with no alternative.
“But I would have thought she would have been reshuffled rather than sacked but it's an interesting situation politically for Rishi Sunak, the Government, and the Conservative Party.”