Tom Tugendhat is set to replace Dame Priti Patel as the Conservative Party's shadow foreign secretary, according to information obtained by BBC News. The former security minister will rejoin the front bench as part of a reshuffle by Kemi Badenoch next month.

This move marks a significant return for Tugendhat to a senior frontbench role for the first time since he finished fourth in the 2024 Conservative leadership election. His background as a former British Army reserve officer and his consistent focus on international affairs and security matters are expected to inform his new position.

Dame Priti Patel announced her departure from the front bench role via social media, stating her intention to focus on a new role aimed at strengthening ties with international conservative and centre-right movements. She had held the shadow foreign secretary position since being appointed to Badenoch's shadow cabinet after the 2024 leadership contest.

The upcoming reshuffle was already anticipated due to the upcoming maternity leave of the shadow energy secretary, Claire Coutinho. However, the change at the foreign affairs brief comes as Sir James Cleverly resigns as shadow housing secretary to pursue a candidacy for London mayor.

Tugendhat previously served as security minister under Prime Ministers Liz Truss and Boris Johnson. Before that, he spent five years chairing the influential Foreign Affairs Select Committee, providing him with extensive experience in parliamentary scrutiny of foreign policy.

Dame Priti Patel, who previously served a three-year term as home secretary under Boris Johnson, expressed that it had been an honour to lead the party's foreign affairs team. She confirmed she would continue to serve as the Member of Parliament for Witham in Essex while undertaking her new responsibilities.

Sources within the Conservative Party have suggested that while a reshuffle was expected, speculation about other frontbench changes, such as the shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride, persists. However, Kemi Badenoch is reportedly unlikely to move Claire Coutinho to the shadow chancellor role while she is on maternity leave, despite her strong performance.

The party leader must also find a replacement for Sir James Cleverly, who has stepped down from his current role to concentrate on his bid for the London mayoralty in May 2028. He has not yet been formally selected as the Conservative candidate for that election, nor has he resigned his seat as MP for Braintree.