14.07.16
David Davis appointed as ‘Brexit secretary’
The first secretary for the UK’s exit from the European Union has been appointed by new prime minister Theresa May.
David Davis, the MP for Haltemprice and Howden, was given the newly-created job after the UK voted in favour of leaving in last month’s referendum.
Davis, an experienced politician who has long supported the UK leaving the EU, was an assistant whip and subsequently a minister for Europe and then a foreign minister under John Major’s government.
Known for his outspoken support of civil liberties, he resigned as an MP and shadow minister in 2008 to protest the issue – then retaking his seat in a by-election.
May officially took over from David Cameron as prime minister last night, and is in the process of a complete cabinet reshuffle. The other appointments announced so far are:
- Boris Johnson, former mayor of London and a prominent pro-Brexit campaigner, is now foreign secretary
- Philip Hammond, previously foreign secretary, is now chancellor
- Liam Fox, defence secretary from 2010 to 2011, is now secretary for international trade
- Amber Rudd, previously energy secretary, takes over from Theresa May as home secretary
- Michael Fallon will stay in post as defence secretary
More posts are expected to be announced from 10:30am.
Following May’s announcement that she intends to establish a ministry for the UK’s exit from the European Union, the Institute for Government recommended that it is initially housed within the Cabinet Office to make the process of establishing it less costly and time-consuming.
(Image c. Gareth Fuller from PA Wire and Press Association Images)
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