May avoids major upheaval in Cabinet reshuffle
British Prime Minister Theresa May has kept the biggest names in her Cabinet following a post reshuffle forced by the resignation of Damian Green.
Mr Green stepped down after he admitted lying over pornography found on his office computer.
Former justice secretary David Lidington was appointed to Mr Green's old position of Minister for the Cabinet Office, but did not inherit the title of First Secretary of State that marked Mrs May's long-time friend and ally as her effective deputy.
It is understood that Mrs May does not intend to appoint a first secretary of state in what is expected to be her biggest reshuffle since taking office in 2016.
Downing Street confirmed Chancellor Philip Hammond, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, Home Secretary Amber Rudd and Brexit Secretary David Davis are all keeping their current jobs.
Jeremy Hunt is also to remain as Health Secretary but has had social care added to his title.
However, Northern Secretary James Brokenshire has resigned from the Cabinet on grounds of ill-health, just weeks ahead of major surgery for a lesion on his right lung.
Brandon Lewis has been named the new party chairman, amid farcical scenes that saw the Tories' official Twitter account incorrectly announce that the job had gone to Chris Grayling.
Speculation remained rife at Westminster that several big names were on their way out of the Cabinet, with Education Secretary Justine Greening, Business Secretary Greg Clark and the Leader of the Commons Andrea Leadsom all reported to be vulnerable as Mrs May seeks to assert her authority.
Mrs May indicated the door would be open for a return to Government after Mr Brokenshire, a close ally since their days in the Home Office, has overcome his health difficulties, telling him in a letter that she was looking forward to "working alongside you again when you are back to full health".
Former immigration minister Mr Lewis, who also takes the title of minister without a portfolio, said he was "honoured" to be appointed party chairman less than eight years after arriving in the House of Commons as MP for Great Yarmouth in 2010.
His promotion appeared to mark a concerted effort to revitalise Conservative campaign headquarters, with the appointment of a number of younger MPs from diverse ethnic backgrounds to senior roles in the party, including former soldier James Cleverly as deputy chair.
The shake-up was overshadowed by a blunder at HQ, which saw the official Conservative Party Twitter feed congratulate Transport Secretary Mr Grayling on becoming chairman.
The tweet was deleted within moments of being sent, but not before it had been shared by a number of Tory MPs and reported on television.
A Tory source said CCHQ political director Iain Carter sent the message to a majority of the party's MPs via WhatsApp, before deleting it and saying it was sent in error. RTE
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