Ex-leader Cameron returns as UK's top diplomat

Former UK leader David Cameron sensationally returned to the British government as foreign secretary yesterday, as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak shook up his top team ahead of a general election expected next year.

Sunak sacked right-wing firebrand Suella Braverman as interior minister, after critics accused her of heightening tensions during weeks of contentious pro-Palestinian demonstrations and counter-protests in Britain.

He replaced her with James Cleverly, who had been foreign secretary, before announcing Cameron as Cleverly's surprise replacement.

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.

Cameron will be made a life peer in the House of Lords, Britain's upper chamber of parliament, Downing Street announced, allowing him to sit in government.

The former leader - with experience as Conservative leader for 11 years and prime minister for six - said he "gladly accepted" the role as Britain faced "a daunting set of international challenges."

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 are also expected to reward loyalists and younger emerging MPs.

Cameron's unexpected return surprised political commentators and was viewed as having been made with the next general election in mind.

Braverman had stoked controversy throughout her tenure, taking a hardline stance on immigration in particular and regularly wading into so-called culture wars issues which are seen as dividing the electorate.

Last week, she accused police of bias towards left-wing causes, stoking tensions ahead of a weekend of protests calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Critics said her comments encouraged far-right protesters to hold counter demos on the sidelines of the main march on Saturday, leading to dozens of arrests.

The right-winger has attacked her critics as liberal "tofu-eating wokerati" while saying shortly after she was appointed that sending asylum seekers to Rwanda was her "dream" and "obsession."

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE