Cameron hails Clarke’s return to front bench

CONSERVATIVE leader David Cameron hailed the return of former chancellor Kenneth Clarke to his front bench team yesterday as senior figures dismissed suggestions that the move would be divisive.

The experienced Clarke, who was finance minister from 1993 to 1997, said he was delighted to be appointed shadow business secretary in a reshuffle aimed at strengthening the Conservatives’ economic team.

One of the party’s leading figures, he will replace Alan Duncan, who becomes shadow Leader of the House of Commons and will now go head-to-head with Peter Mandelson.