Ken Clarke is to return to the Conservative front bench, to take on Lord Mandelson as Shadow Business Secretary, as first reported on The First Post.
The Tory party's most controversial "big beast" and leading Europhile has reportedly told David Cameron that he accepts the party's line on Europe, promising that he "[will] not try to change the viewpoint of others”.
Observers had suggested that a return to frontline politics by the 68-year-old former Chancellor would be seen as a rebuff to Shadow Chancellor George Osborne. However, Osborne is understood to have instigated Clarke's comeback. According to the Daily Telegraph, the appointment was sealed at a lunch between Cameron, Osborne and Clarke at Osborne's London home. (Continued below)
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