Greg Clark will remain as business and energy secretary following the weekend reshuffle. Minister Nick Hurd heads to the Home Office and will be replaced at the department for business, energy and industrial strategy (Beis) by Claire Perry (updated 13/06/17).
At the environment department, Michael Gove makes a return to frontline politics, replacing Andrea Leadsom as secretary of state. Leadsom is now leader of the commons. 
Gove’s appointment has raised eyebrows in some quarters. Former energy secretary Ed Davey expressed surprise:
Gove wants to axe key EU environmental protections & so May puts him at Environment? I didn't think things could get much worse…how wrong
— Ed Davey MP 🔶🇪🇺 #StayHomeSaveLives #ProtectNHS (@EdwardJDavey) June 11, 2017
Green MP Caroline Lucas questioned Gove’s suitability for the role based on his voting record on environmental issues:
Beggars belief. One look at Gove’s voting record shows him unfit for this job: https://t.co/IIzaJRek8I https://t.co/TzIxt4duNp
— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) June 12, 2017
Greenpeace chief scientist Doug Parr, however, pointed out that Gove has also previously expressed support for investing in climate change mitigation:
Here's what ew @DefraGovUK Sec of State @michaelgove had to say on climate change 3 years ago https://t.co/BTli6ouUQr pic.twitter.com/eyXRFuNACS
— Doug Parr (@doug_parr) June 12, 2017
Gove admitted the appointment had come as a “surprise” but said he was “delighted” to be back in government.
In a later statement, he said it was “an honour” to take the role “at such an important time for our country”.
Gove added that he was “determined to protect our precious environment” as Britain leaves the EU.
Related articles:
Decc closed as Greg Clark takes helm of combined business and energy department
Greg Clark calls for carmakers and battery firms to collaborate to crack energy storage
Leadsom: Energy storage ‘a top priority’ ahead of smart systems consultation
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