Penny Mordaunt has been appointed to replace Priti Patel as the International Development Secretary.
Mordaunt, an MP since 2010, succeeds Patel after she was forced to resign by Theresa May on 8 November. The reason for the retirement? She had engaged in secret meetings with Ugandan officials.
Mordaunt, MP for Portsmouth North, was previously the minister for disabled people and prior to that the minister for the armed forces. Like Patel, Mordaunt backed the “leave” campaign in the EU referendum.
Ms Mordaunt, 44, said she was “delighted” to take on the role, as she visited her new department.
It was the second cabinet resignation in a week. Last week Gavin Williamson replaced Sir Michael Fallon as defence secretary after he quit saying his conduct had “fallen short” of the required standards after allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour.
