Liam Fox was last night tipped for a return to frontline politics competing with Grant Shapps to become the new defence secretary. 

Rishi Sunak is expected to announce a mini reshuffle as early as today, with Mr Fox amongst the surprise contenders to replace Ben Wallace.

The MP for North Somerset backed the Prime Minister in both leadership contests last year and introduced him at a hustings event.

If he did return, as reported by The Daily Telegraph, Downing Street may struggle to explain why it has chosen him as Ben Wallace's replacement after Mr Fox resigned as defence secretary amid controversy in 2011 under David Cameron.

He stepped down after questions were raised about the access Adam Werritty, a lobbyist friend, had enjoyed to the Ministry of Defence.

Mr Wallace, who is considered a popular cabinet minister and once favourite to become Prime Minister, was Boris Johnson's Defence Secretary but announced his decision to quit Cabinet at the next re-shuffle.

His shock resignation will see him leave the top role which he has held for seven years.

Energy security secretary Mr Shapps is also a surprise frontrunner whose name has been thrown in the ring.

He had visited war torn Ukraine just last week and shared a video of his trip on social media. He said at the time: 'What I saw in Kyiv this week was a people resolute in their defiance against Putin's tyranny and Russia's aggression.'

Government insiders told the Financial Times, however, that while Mr Shapps is amongst the favourites to take on the role, it is not certain he will be appointed.

If he was successful, it would see him in his fifth cabinet job in the past year alone, following his run as transport secretary, home secretary and business secretary.

Armed forces minister James Heappey, security minister Tom Tugendhat and foreign office minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan are amongst the names being touted by Tories.

The Prime Minister's larger reshuffle is not expected to take place until later this year, after the party conferences this autumn and the King's speech in November.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman is likely to stay in post, it has been reported, despite some Tories calling for her to go.

One former minister told The Sun: 'You have to get rid of Suella. She seems too interested in picking fights than solving problems like small boats.'

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