Grant Shapps is set to replace Suella Braverman as home secretary after she resigned from her role, Sky News understands.
The former transport secretary, who backed Rishi Sunak in the Tory leadership race and has been critical of some of Liz Truss’ policies, is expected to be confirmed as her replacement.
Sky’s deputy political editor Sam Coates said it is perhaps “unsurprising” that Mr Shapps’ name is in the frame, as he has “caused havoc” since being removed from the cabinet by Ms Truss.
Politics live: Braverman voices ‘concerns’ in explosive resignation letter
Coates said Mr Shapps did not take his sacking “lying down” and helped coordinate the rebellion over the 45p tax rate – “the beginning of the end for that mini-budget”.
And it would be “a very good reason” to bring him back into the fold – “to remove the thorn from her side”.
But, while Mr Shapps is the primary name in the frame, Coates adds: “Politics is a magical thing at the moment and people don’t always do what they are told.”
Suella Braverman resigns as home secretary after sharing secure information from private email – and takes aim at Liz Truss in departure
Politics latest: Suella Braverman voices ‘concerns’ with PM’s leadership in explosive resignation letter | Politics latest
Liz Truss pulls out of planned event as pressure on her continues
Ms Braverman was only appointed to the role 43 days ago by the new prime minister.
Ms Braverman resigned after sending an official document from her personal email in a breach of the security rules for government.
In an explosive resignation letter which also voiced “concerns” about the direction of the government, the now former home secretary said: “Pretending we haven’t made mistakes, carrying on as if everyone can’t see that we have made them, and hoping that things will magically come right is not serious politics.”
She added: “I have made a mistake, I accept responsibility, I resign.”
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She also expressed “concerns” that the government had already “broken key pledges that were promised to our voters”, and said she is worried about “the government’s commitment” to other manifesto policies, including reducing overall migration numbers.
Government ‘falling apart at the seams’
Ms Braverman’s shock departure comes as Ms Truss battles to cling on to the keys to Number 10.
The prime minister made a last-minute cancellation of a trip out of Westminster on Wednesday.
Ms Braverman was seen entering Number 10 at around 1pm this afternoon, leaving around half an hour later.
It follows the sacking of chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng last Friday and the axing of the majority of the government’s mini-budget on Monday by new chancellor Jeremy Hunt.
Labour’s shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the government “can’t even manage the basics” in the wake of the resignation of her opposite number.
She said the Tory administration was “falling apart at the seams”, adding: “To appoint and then [lose] both your home secretary and chancellor within six weeks is utter chaos. This is no way to run a government.”
The Liberal Democrats described Ms Braverman’s exit as the latest in a “carousel of Conservative chaos”.
“People should not be forced to watch the Conservative party implode day after day while real people suffer,” Lib Dem home affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said.
“There is a cost of living catastrophe, health service crisis and now a rudderless Home Office.
“The only solution now is a general election so the public can get off this carousel of Conservative chaos.”
