Prime Minister reappoints Rees-mogg’s former business partner as minister in the Lords a month after sacking him
Rishi Sunak has been criticised for reappointing a controversial minister a month after sacking him.
Dominic Johnson, who is Jacob Rees-mogg's former business partner and a key Conservative Party donor, has returned as a minister for international trade.
He was first appointed as investment minister by Liz Truss at the beginning of October, and was then handed a life peerage to enable him to carry out the government role, becoming Lord Johnson of Lainston on October 19.
But when Mr Sunak took over from Ms Truss at No 10, Lord Johnson was dismissed after only 26 days in the post, and a day after making his maiden speech in the House of Lords.
Opposition parties have criticised Lord Johnson's return to the Department of International Trade after he came under fire for failing to disclose his financial interests.
The Liberal Democrats have demanded that he publish his register of interests – a record of anything which could be
seen to influence the actions of MPS or peers – after he did not do so during his first ministerial stint.
Lib Dem frontbencher for international trade Lord Purvis of Tweed said: "Clearly this is a matter of public concern and interest.
"Every minister has a duty to the people of this country to be open,transparentandaccountable – Lord Johnson has failed in this regard yet again.
"Trust in politicians is already at an all-time low. Every incoming minister with the new Prime Minister must be clear that they have no conflicts of interest, before they represent the country abroad or in the Houses of Parliament."
Shadow attorney general and former shadow international trade secretary Emily Thornberry tweeted: "Surely this isn't true.
"Dominic Johnson has now been reappointed by Rishi Sunak as a trade minister?
"The same Dominic Johnson who was sacked from the role a month ago, and then told British farmers they should convert their farms into offices? Please tell me this is a joke."
She was referring to a Politico report which said Lord Johnson had argued that agricultural businesses should be helped to "transition their buildings" into "offices or whatever it is".