Former UK prime minister David Cameron made a surprise return to frontline politics Monday after British leader Rishi Sunak appointed him foreign secretary in a government reshuffle.

Cameron, who was Britain’s leader from 2010 to 2016 before quitting after losing the Brexit referendum, replaces James Cleverly – who was appointed interior minister – in an unexpected move.

Greensill’s demise fuelled questions about the extent to which former leaders can use their status to influence government policy after Cameron repeatedly contacted senior ministers in 2020 to lobby for the firm.

Sunak’s office said on Monday that King Charles had approved giving Cameron a seat in Britain’s upper chamber, the House of Lords, allowing him to return to government as a minister despite no longer being an elected member of parliament.

A government source said that a reshuffle of PM Sunak’s top team of ministers is underway.

British Home Secretary Suella Braverman was sacked ealier today, British media reported.

Braverman had come under fire for an article in which she had criticised the Metropolitan Police’s handling of the pro-Palestine protests planned for November 11, commemorated in England as Armstice day.

Additional input from Reuters