James Cleverly Appointed UK Interior Minister: Key Facts

In a significant move during his first major reshuffle, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has appointed James Cleverly as the new Interior Minister, succeeding Suella Braverman. Cleverly, who previously served as Foreign Secretary for a year, brings a diverse background to his new role. Here are key facts about the new UK Interior Minister:

1. Birth and Heritage:
   • James Cleverly was born on September 4, 1969, to a British father and a Sierra Leonean mother.
2. Education and Military Training:
   • He received a private education at Riverton School and Colfe’s School in Lee, London.
   • Initially trained in the army, his military career was cut short by a leg injury in 1989.
   • Cleverly earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in hospitality management studies from Ealing College of Higher Education (now University of West London) in 1991.
3. Career Background:
   • Worked for publishing companies, including Verenigde Nederlandse Uitgeverijen and Informa as an international sales manager.
   • Joined Crimson Publishing as an advertising manager and later became the online commercial manager for Caspian Publishing in 2006.
   • Co-founded the web publishing company Point and Fire in 2007.
4. Military Service:
   • Served as an Army Reserve Officer.
5. Political Career:
   • Active member of the Conservative Party.
   • Previously served as Secretary of State for Education.
6. Brexit Advocacy:
   • Advocated for a vote in favor of Brexit during the 2016 European Union membership referendum.
7. Foreign Secretary Appointment:
   • In September 2022, he was appointed Foreign Secretary by then-Prime Minister Liz Truss, becoming the first Foreign Secretary of African heritage in British history.
8. Personal Life:
   • Married Susannah Sparks in 2000.
   • The couple has two sons.

James Cleverly’s diverse background, military service, and political experience position him to take on the responsibilities of the Interior Minister in the United Kingdom. The appointment is part of a broader reshuffle by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as the government prepares for potential challenges leading up to the next general election.