Sajid Javid appointed as new Home Secretary after resignation of Amber Rudd, Downing Street announces

Mr Javid had revealed his personal emotions about the Windrush scandal, saying: 'It could have been me, my mum or my dad'

Sajid Javid has been appointed the new home secretary, as Theresa May moved quickly to ease the turmoil provoked by the resignation of Amber Rudd.

The choice means the post will again be held by a Remain supporter – although the housing secretary, unlike Ms Rudd, he has recently supported a hard Brexit, including leaving the EU customs union.

Mr Javid will be catapulted into attempting to calm the controversy over forced removal targets for illegal immigrants and the suffering inflicted on the Windrush generation.

At the weekend, he revealed his personal emotions about the Windrush scandal, telling The Sunday Telegraph: “It could have been me, my mum or my dad.”

Brexiteers may be suspicious that he will continue Ms Rudd’s softer intentions for post-Brexit immigration rules, as revealed by The Independent on Saturday.

The appointment of Mr Javid marks another significant advance for one of Britain’s most prominent ethnic minority politicians, the Rochdale-born son of a Pakistani bus driver.

He has been replaced as housing secretary by James Brokenshire, who stood down as Northern Ireland secretary in January to fight lung cancer, but who has now recovered.

Mr Brokenshire was immigration minister between 2014 and 2016, under Ms May, and also voted to remain in the European Union.

Meanwhile, Penny Mordaunt, the international development secretary, takes on Ms Rudd’s other responsibilities as minister for women and equalities.