Liam Fox 'leading candidate for next secretary of defense'

Mr. Fox was not only a former Secretary of International Trade, but also previously served as Secretary of Defense under David Cameron. Photo: Jeff Pugh for The Telegraph

Liam Fox has become a leading candidate for the next secretary of defense, The Telegraph understands, and it will be a shocking return to his old department.

Senior Defense Department officials discuss Mr. to Fox's potential appointment amid ongoing interactions with Number 10 over Ben Wallace's departure.

His name is believed to have figured in the talks when Downing Street privately said it was considering a mini cabinet reshuffle last week.

Mr. Fox endorsed Rishi Sunak in both Conservative leadership contests last year and featured him on the campaign trail. He also previously passed a security check for the post and has been tough on Russia in the past, two likely requirements for whoever takes on the role.

However, Downing Street will have to explain why he was chosen after he was handed the post, which he resigned amid controversy in 2011 while serving under David Cameron. He resigned after questions were raised about access by lobbyist friend Adam Verritty to the Department of Defense.

The development comes amid continued speculation about Mr. Sunak's long-awaited personnel reshuffle and its possible timing. . scale and promote candidates.

The prime minister is expected to reshuffle his cabinet next month — possibly as early as next week — with his predecessors often opting to shake up their cabinet when MPs return to Parliament after the summer break.

Readers on Ben Wallace's resignation

Mr. Wallace, who was appointed Secretary of Defense by Boris Johnson, has announced his decision to leave the cabinet at the next reshuffle, leaving at least one gap to be filled.

It remains unclear whether simply replacing Mr. Wallace or making broader cabinet changes is desirable. The latter may think that Johnson and Liz Truss supporters are most at risk of being replaced.

For the position of Secretary of Defense, there are many names that David Cameron once called the «best six» Cabinet positions. – appeared in reports of possible personnel changes.

These include James Cleverley, Foreign Secretary, John Glen, Chief Secretary of the Treasury, Tom Tugendhat, Secretary of State for Security, Sir Brandon Lewis, former Tory chairman and Anne- Marie Trevelyan, former Secretary of Transportation.

But, in the absence of Mr. Sunak's final decision, Mr. Fox is currently being mooted for the role, with numbers number 10 and Defense Department claims laying the groundwork for appointment.

Mr. Fox was reportedly considered for a role in Mr. Sunak's first cabinet in October, but noted that ongoing commitments to various projects made it difficult.

< p> A spokesperson for Number 10 declined to comment on «reshuffle speculation».