British Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday promoted Brexit-supporting junior minister Penny Mordaunt to the cabinet role of international development secretary, after Priti Patel was forced to resign from the post over unauthorised meetings in Israel.

The appointment of the 44-year-old navy reservist allows May to maintain the delicate Brexit balance among her ministers after the departure late Wednesday of Patel, the second minister to quit May's government within a week.