- Sunday, July 03, 2022
By: Keerthi Mohan
Priti Patel could return to the cabinet as home secretary if Boris Johnson is elected the new prime minister, reports said.
Patel has been an early supporter of the likely new prime minister, and with her appointment, Johnson seeks to convince the public that he is not a “British Donald Trump,” reported The Independent.
Explaining why Johnson’s advisers want Patel for the post, a source said it would be a “clear statement to the British public that Boris will not be a British version of Donald Trump.”
Announcing her support for Johnson last month, Patel said he was the perfect candidate to strengthen Britain’s bond with countries like India.
“Boris Johnson will bring a spirit of optimism and the ability to lift our standing in the world by strengthening the living bridge between our two great nations,” said the 47-year-old Patel.
“It is about time that we strengthen the political bonds between UK and India, following the recent decline. We must grow our bonds into a very special relationship built on centuries of diplomacy, trade and common values, and importantly, our people to people ties that continue to enrich our countries and our links,” she said.
Patel previously served on Theresa May’s frontbench as International Development Secretary.
The MP for Witham in Essex was forced to resign in 2017 after it emerged she had unofficial meetings with Israeli ministers, businessmen and a senior lobbyist without May’s knowledge.
In a statement, Patel said: “I accept that in meeting with organisations and politicians during a private holiday in Israel, my actions fell below the high standards that are expected of a Secretary of State.
“While my actions were meant with the best of intentions, my actions fell below the standards of transparency and openness that I have promoted and advocated.”
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