Rishi Sunak has been criticised for re-appointing an ex-business partner of Jacob Rees-Mogg - just a month after axing him.
No10 confirmed Lord Dominic Johnson, a Tory donor and former vice-chairman of the party, returned as a minister in the Department for International Trade.
He was first appointed by former Prime Minister Liz Truss at the beginning of October and handed a life peerage to enable him to carry out the role.
But Lord Johnson, who co-founded an investment firm with Mr Rees-Mogg, held the position for just 26 days before being sacked by the PM.
Respoinding to his reappointment Labour's Shadow Attorney General Emily Thornberry expressed bewilderment, saying: "Surely this isn't true.
"Dominic Johnson has now been reappointed by Rishi Sunak as a trade minister?
"The same Dominic Johnson who was sacked from the role a month ago, and then told British farmers they should convert their farms into offices?
"Please tell me this is a joke."
She was referring to a Politico report last month which said Lord Johnson had argued that agricultural businesses should be helped to "transition their buildings" into "offices or whatever it is".
The Liberal Democrats also demanded that he publish his register of interests - a record of anything which could be seen to influence the actions of MPs or peers - after he did not do so during his first ministerial stint.
Lib Dem frontbencher for international trade Lord Purvis said: "Clearly this is a matter of public concern and interest."
