FORMER Tory Prime Minister David Cameron made a surprise return to Government on Monday morning after Suella Braverman was sacked as Home Secretary.

While James Cleverly took over her vacant role at the Home Office, Number 10 then announced that Cameron, prime minister from 2010 to 2016, would be returning to high office.

But Cameron isn't a current serving MP - so how has he managed to bag one of the top four offices of State and become the next Foreign Secretary?

Well, it's pretty simple, the Tories have given him a peerage for life.

READ MORE: LIVE: David Cameron appointed Foreign Secretary in Cabinet Reshuffle

As well as Members of the House of Commons, those serving in the House of Lords can also hold ministerial positions.

Lord David Frost notably served as Brexit minister and Boris Johnson's chief negotiator with the EU but was not an MP at the time. He quit the Cabinet in 2021. 

And Lord Malcolm Offord was ennobled in order for him to take on the role of parliamentary under secretary in the Scotland Office, after he failed in his bid to become a Tory regional list MSP.  

The National:

Cameron will be given a Barony and appointed to the House of Lords in the coming days in order to take on the role of Foreign Secretary. 

In a statement, the Palace said: "The King has been pleased to approve the appointment of the Rt Hon David Cameron as Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs.

"His Majesty has also been pleased to confer the dignity of a Barony of the United Kingdom for life upon David Cameron. The Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP remains as Chancellor of the Exchequer."

In a statement following his appointment, Cameron wrote on Twitter/X that he "gladly accepted" the role. 

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"While I have been out of front-line politics for the last seven years, I hope that my experience – as Conservative Leader for eleven years and Prime Minister for six – will assist me in helping the Prime Minister to meet these vital challenges," he said. 

Cameron added: "Though I may have disagreed with some individual decisions, it is clear to me that Rishi Sunak is a strong and capable Prime Minister, who is showing exemplary leadership at a difficult time.

"I want to help him to deliver the security and prosperity our country needs and be part of the strongest possible team that serves the United Kingdom and that can be presented to the country when the General Election is held."

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn pointed out that the appointment means Cameron will not be accountable to MPs.

He wrote: "Truly remarkable that during a time of huge international unrest, not least in Ukraine and Gaza, the House of Commons will not be able to directly scrutinise the work of the actual Foreign Secretary.

"The UK is not a serious country."