Reshuffle Looms as PM Dismisses Patel
Priti Patel’s unauthorised meetings with Israeli officials causes a forced change in the cabinet, reports Nick Newton
Pic: Parliament holds its breath for reshuffle. Credit: Pixabay
As Patel leaves the Cabinet following the dispute over Israeli meetings, the potential for a dramatic reshuffle divides opinion. Nicholas Newton reports
The Prime Minister has been dealt a difficult blow this week, after her Secretary of State for International Development was forced to resign following accusations she met with senior members of the Israeli government without consulting either Number 10 or the Foreign Office.
The meetings which took place while Ms Patel was on holiday in August, and included meetings with figures as senior as the Israeli PM, Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as the Israeli security minister.
This resignation has fuelled speculation about Mrs May’s leadership, and has led to several predictions of an impending reshuffle. Speaking to the Guardian, senior party sources were divided on this prospect, while popular Tory blog ConservativeHome is eager to see more MPs from the 2015 and 2017 intake promoted to high office.
Opposition figures have been quick to criticise the Prime Minister for her handling of the Patel controversy, and to decry the prospect of a reshuffle. Southwark Council leader Peter Johns said: “Mrs May has already had a lot of unnecessary alterations during time in parliament, this being another”, while Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn told the Prime Minister Related Posts:
