PIO Priti Patel is UK Home Minister |
Boris Johnson, who took over as prime minister appointed Indian-origin MPs such as Priti Patel, Alok Sharma and Rishi Sunak to key roles in his government. Indian-origin Gujarati, Priti Patel is given the prestigious job of the home secretary, making her the most senior Indian-origin MP ever in a British government. Patel`s high-profile job is considered the joint third most important role in the British government alongside that of foreign secretary and puts her in charge of national security, tackling crime, fighting terrorism and extremism, and dealing with illegal immigration. In particular, Patel will be in charge of deciding whether to order the extradition of those wanted by other governments such as Nirav Modi - wanted by India - and determining the UK`s post-Brexit immigration strategy, including in relation to India. Meanwhile junior minister Alok Sharma has been elevated to the post of secretary of state for international development. Johnson`s inclusion of Indian and Pakistan-origin MPs (such as Sajid Javid as the chancellor of the exchequer, in his team is partly to ward off accusations of racism reflected in his past comments on Islam. Also promoted is Rishi Sunak, who is son-in-law of Infosys founder N R Narayana Murthy. He is given the charge of chief secretary to the treasury.
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