Priti Patel is set for a return to Cabinet as Boris Johnson prepares to promote a record number of ethnic minority MPs when he enters Number 10.
Junior ministers Rishi Sunak and Alok Sharma will be among the BAME MPs elevated to Johnson’s top team, a senior source told HuffPost UK on Wednesday.
Patel, who had to resign as international development secretary after misleading Theresa May over her meetings with Israeli politicians, could return to the cabinet with the Home Office job, it has been reported.
In a bid to make good on his promise to unite the Brexit-riven Conservative Party, it is also understood Johnson will also offer jobs to Remainers Oliver Dowden and Robert Jenrick.
Britain’s next premier, who has faced repeated accusations of racism and bigotry, is also looking boost the number of women in his top team with ex-sports minister Tracey Crouch said to be in line for a role.
A source close to Johnson said: “Boris will build a Cabinet showcasing all the talents within the party that truly reflect modern Britain.”
Johnson officially takes over from May on Wednesday and is expected to make swift appointments to the four great offices of state – chancellor, home secretary, foreign secretary and defence secretary.
After recording a thumping victory over his rival Jeremy Hunt in the Tory leadership contest, he was holed up in Whitehall’s Admiralty House on Tuesday night, with his allies preparing for power.
The jostling for the great offices of state and other more junior jobs has been going on for weeks if not months, however, and unconfirmed rumours about who could make the cut have been swirling around Westminster.
Philip Hammond will resign as chancellor, jumping before he is pushed, with Sajid Javid seen as the strong favourite for his replacement. The home secretary threw his support behind Johnson after his own leadership bid came to an end.
Liz Truss, chief secretary to the Treasury, and ex-Commons leader Andrea Leadsom have been widely reported to have had ambitions to be the first ever female chancellor. It is thought Truss could be moved to the business department.
Jeremy Hunt, foreign secretary who challenged for the leadership, has said he would be willing to serve the new regime, but Johnson did not rule out sacking him so it is unclear what position he will have, if any.
Popular Remainer Amber Rudd backed Jeremy Hunt for the leadership but could stay on as work and pensions secretary, if not be promoted to the foreign office.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has also been linked to the Foreign Office and gave a detailed foreign policy speech during his leadership campaign.
According to The Daily Telegraph, David Davis, the former Brexit secretary, has been in talks about a return but would settle for nothing less than the Foreign Office or the Treasury.
Penny Mordaunt, who had been tipped as a likely leadership candidate herself, was only given the Ministry of Defence job in May, and amid rising tensions with Iran, Johnson is expected to keep her in post.
Michael Fallon, a former defence secretary, has been doing the rounds on TV and radio as a vocal supporter of Johnson and must be hoping for a return. As will another ex-defence secretary, Gavin Williamson.
Dominic Raab, the former Brexit secretary, is expected to stage a comeback at at one point and has been tipped as a possible chancellor.
Leading Brexiteer backbencher Jacob Rees-Mogg, who has never been a minister, has made it clear he would be happy to serve in the government.
Housing minister Kit Malthouse, a longtime ally of the new PM will be hoping for a bigger job. James Cleverly, the Brexit minister, who also worked with Johnson during his time as London mayor, could get a promotion.
Former party chairman Grant Shapps, who went public early with calls for May to quit, looks like to get a job as does former leadership candidate Esther McVey.
Michael Gove, the environment secretary, could cling onto a job despite having torn chunks out of the Johnson during the leadership contest.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, an ardent critic of Johnson, has made the case for Johnson to keep David Mundell as Scotland secretary.