Cleverly set for front bench role

SIR James Cleverly is set to return to the Conservative Party front bench as the shadow housing secretary, as Kemi Badenoch shakes up her top team.

- PRESS ASSOCIATION REPORTERS

The former foreign secretary is understood to be joining the shadow cabinet in the job shadowing Labour's Angela Rayner in the housing, communities and local government brief.

Sir James served in the foreign office and as home secretary when the Conservatives were in power. He stood as a candidate in last year's Conservative leadership election, but lost out on the Tory top job ahead of the final heat between Mrs Badenoch and her now shadow justice secretary, Robert Jenrick. Since the leadership contest, he had returned to the Tory back benches as the MP for Braintree.

As well as Sir James' appointment, it is understood that Kevin Hollinrake will move to the role of party chairman, replacing Nigel Huddleston, who will become shadow culture secretary.