Former Minister for Disabled People steps into role as International Development Secretary after Patel resigned over secret meetings.
ADVERTISEMENTProminent Brexit campaigner Penny Mordaunt has replaced ousted UK International Development Secretary Priti Patel as Prime Minister Theresa May looks to shore up her cabinet following two high profile resignations in as many weeks.
Patel resigned on Wednesday after it was revealed the politician had held meetings in Israel in August where she discussed official departmental business without informing the Foreign Office.
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patel4witham</a> resignation letter and <a href="https://twitter.com/theresa_may?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">theresa_may reply pic.twitter.com/u7GFHr6kBP— johanna howitt (@jolohobro) 8 November 2017
Mordaunt, who has held various ministerial positions in UK government since being elected to parliament in 2010, was tipped to replace Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, who resigned last week amid allegations of sexual harassment.
However, with Theresa May under pressure to maintain a delicate balance of pro and anti Brexit cabinet ministers, she was the ideal candidate to replace leave campaigner Patel.
May’s reshuffle also saw MP Victoria Atkins promoted to junior Home Office minister and Sarah Newton made minister of state at the department for work and pensions.