UK'S Shabana Mahmood appointed new interior minister

Reuters

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer carried out a major cabinet reshuffle on Friday (September 5), appointing new deputies as well as foreign and interior ministers in a bid to reassert control following the resignation of his deputy, Angela Rayner.

Starmer promoted Foreign Secretary David Lammy to deputy prime minister, moving him out of the prestigious foreign affairs role. Lammy was replaced by Interior Minister Yvette Cooper, whose former position has now been filled by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood. All three are considered close, trusted allies of the prime minister.

While Lammy gains the title of deputy prime minister, he loses the influential foreign secretary post and takes over Mahmood’s responsibilities at the justice ministry.

Cooper, one of Labour’s most senior figures with experience under former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, takes on the foreign brief in what is widely seen as a promotion after her time managing the government’s much-criticised migration policy.

Mahmood, 44, has developed a reputation in Labour as a tough, pragmatic operator. Her appointment to the interior ministry is viewed as a natural step up, reflecting her track record of decisive action while overseeing the justice system.

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