Liz Truss forms new cabinet

UK Prime Minister Liz Truss has formed a new government cabinet, but top posts have reportedly been given to her key allies.

Kwasi Kwarteng reportedly became chancellor, James Cleverly became foreign secretary and Suella Braverman became home secretary, the latter said to have stood against her in the leadership race. Braverman has replaced Priti Patel.

One of Truss’s closest friends, Therese Coffey, is appointed as Health Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister.

Her new cabinet will meet ahead of the first Prime Minister’s Questions later.

None of those who backed her defeated rival Rishi Sunak will remain in her full cabinet, with Dominic Raab, Grant Shapps, George Eustice and Steve Barclay all returning to the bench.

But Truss’s press secretary said the changes would “unify” the Conservative Party and pointed to senior roles for five of her leadership rivals: Suella Braverman, Tom Tugendhat as security minister, Kemi Badenoch as trade secretary, Penny Mordaunt as leader of Commons and Nadhim Zahawi as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

For the first time, none of the four “great offices of state” – such as the prime minister, chancellor, home secretary and foreign secretary – is held by a white person.