Grant Shapps has been appointed Home Secretary tonight (Wednesday), Downing Street has confirmed. The former Transport Secretary was given the role after Suella Braverman resigned earlier today.
The UK Prime Minister's Twitter account confirmed the appointment shortly after 6pm, tweeting: "The Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP @grantshapps has been appointed Secretary of State for the Home Department @ukhomeoffice."
Ms Braverman admitted sending an “official document from my personal email” in her resignation letter. She said she had “concerns about the direction of this Government”, adding: “It is obvious to everyone that we are going through a tumultuous time."
The newly-appointed Home Secretary said he is looking forward to getting on with the job as Home Secretary “regardless of what’s happening otherwise in Westminster”. Speaking outside the Home Office, he told reporters: “Obviously it has been a turbulent time for the Government.
“But the most important thing is to make sure the people of this country know they’ve got security. That’s why it’s a great honour to be appointed as Home Secretary today. I’m looking forward to getting stuck into the role providing the security the British people need regardless of what’s happening otherwise in Westminster.
“So I’m looking forward to getting on with the job.”
Meanwhile, PA reports, only two nights ago, Mr Shapps told a theatre audience Liz Truss had a “Mount Everest to climb” to remain in power. Speaking at a podcast recording with comedian Matt Forde in London, Mr Shapps discussed a spreadsheet he had been known for keeping to track MPs’ support for Liz Truss, and what it said about her prospects.
“I don’t think there’s any secret she has a mountain, a Mount Everest to climb. What she needs to do is like threading the eye of a needle with the lights off,” he added.
Mr Shapps added that one of the PM’s strengths was that she was “enormously direct”, referencing when he was sacked as transport secretary by Ms Truss for failing to support her leadership campaign. Mr Shapps had dropped out of the race to back her eventual rival Rishi Sunak.
He said his wife felt there was a “20% chance” this directness might lead Mrs Truss to be a success in the role. “I think the 80% is closer than where we’ve got to,” he then joked.
Mr Shapps said the Tory leader’s decision to surround herself largely with those who supported her campaign had meant her base was too “narrow” to successfully lead the party, adding that some of the failures of her Government, such as the mini-budget, could have been avoided by having a broader range of views in Cabinet.
