Brokenshire returns after cancer surgery
JAMES BROKENSHIRE has been appointed as the Communities Secretary three months after undergoing life-saving surgery to cure lung cancer.
The long-term ally of Theresa May had stepped down as Northern Ireland Secretary in January in order to receive treatment for a cancerous lesion found on his right lung.
While Mr Brokenshire had hoped to make a comeback to front-bench politics following his surgery, his return to the Cabinet was brought forward following the resignation of Amber Rudd on Sunday evening.
Mr Brokenshire was asked to take over at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government after the promotion of Sajid Javid to Home Secretary.
Mr Brokenshire said yesterday that he was “honoured” to have been appointed and was “looking forward to taking the Government’s agenda forward especially on building the homes our country needs”.
His return to the front bench came as Penny Mordaunt, the International Development Secretary, was given the added portfolio of Minister for Women and Equalities, a position held by Ms Rudd since Justine Greening resigned in January.