David Cameron: Post-Premiership, Allegations, and Family

Few former prime ministers return to the frontbench nearly a decade after leaving office, but David Cameron did exactly that in 2023. His surprise appointment as Foreign Secretary thrust the architect of the 2016 Brexit referendum back into the spotlight, reviving questions about his post-premiership lobbying work and his family life. Here is what has happened to Cameron since 10 Downing Street, from the Greensill Capital scandal to his current role in the House of Lords.

Born: 9 October 1966

Prime Minister: 2010–2016

Political Party: Conservative

Spouse: Samantha Cameron (married 1996)

Net worth (estimated): £13 million

Eight key facts about David Cameron cover his full name, title, birth, party, family, and two spells in government.

What has happened to David Cameron since leaving office?

Return as Foreign Secretary (2023–2024)

• Cameron was appointed Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on 13 November 2023 – GOV.UK
• His return to cabinet was described as a “surprise return to high office” – BBC News
• The reshuffle also saw Suella Braverman leave the Home Office and James Cleverly move from Foreign Secretary to Home Secretary – CBS News
• He resigned all other paid jobs upon his return. (Medium confidence: YouTube interview, but confirmed by BBC News regarding Greensill role.)
• His Foreign Secretary tenure ended on 5 July 2024 after the general election – GOV.UK

The implication: Cameron’s return to government was brief but marked a rare third act for a former prime minister in British politics.

Greensill Capital lobbying scandal

• In March 2021 it was revealed that Cameron had been employed by Greensill Capital after leaving office – Politics.co.uk
• Cameron and his staff sent ministers and officials 45 messages in less than four months – BBC News
• He texted then-Chancellor Rishi Sunak and held virtual meetings with permanent secretaries – Politics.co.uk
• He testified to the Treasury Committee on 13 May 2021 – PoliticsHome
• A committee of MPs accused Cameron of a “significant lack of judgement” – BBC News

The catch: The Greensill affair continues to define Cameron’s post-premiership reputation, raising questions about the revolving door between government and private finance.

Role in the House of Lords

• Cameron was appointed a life peer as Baron Cameron of Chipping Norton – GOV.UK
• He sits in the House of Lords as a Conservative peer – Wikipedia
• His peerage allows him to serve as Foreign Secretary (though he has now left that role)

Why this matters: The House of Lords gives Cameron a permanent platform in British politics, even after losing the 2024 general election.

Is David Cameron still married?

Samantha Cameron: career and background

• David Cameron married Samantha Sheffield in 1996 – Wikipedia
• They have four children (Ivan, Nancy, Arthur, Florence; Ivan died in 2009) – Wikipedia
• Samantha Cameron is a fashion designer and businesswoman; she launched her own label Cefinn in 2017 – Wikipedia
• The couple remain married and have not separated – widely reported

The pattern: Unlike many political marriages, the Camerons have stayed together through the stresses of office and post-office life.

What was David Cameron accused of?

Piggate incident allegations

• The “Piggate” allegation concerns an unverified incident from Cameron’s university years involving a dead pig – Wikipedia
• The story has never been substantiated; Cameron has denied it – Wikipedia
• It remains a rumour that periodically resurfaces in tabloid media

Greensill lobbying accusations

• Cameron lobbied government officials on behalf of Greensill Capital, a company that later collapsed – BBC News
• The Treasury Committee found Cameron showed a “significant lack of judgement” – BBC News
• No criminal charges were brought, but the episode damaged his public standing

The trade-off: The Greensill scandal is a matter of public record, while the Piggate allegation remains an unsubstantiated rumour that has no legal status.

Is David Cameron related to the royal family?

• Cameron is distantly related to the royal family through his wife Samantha’s ancestry – Wikipedia
• The connection is not close; it comes through the marriage of a distant relative to King Charles III’s circle
• No direct blood relationship – Wikipedia

What this means: This trivia question often arises online, but the link is genealogical curiosity rather than a meaningful family tie.

What is David Cameron’s net worth and current role?

Estimated net worth and source of wealth

• Cameron’s net worth is estimated at around £13 million – Politics.co.uk
• Sources include book deals (memoir ‘For the Record’), speaking fees, board appointments, and investments – Wikipedia
• Exact figures are variable because much of his wealth is not publicly disclosed

Baron Cameron of Chipping Norton

• He is a life peer and sits in the House of Lords – GOV.UK
• Since July 2024 he holds no government position but remains an active Conservative peer

The pattern: Cameron’s wealth and title place him firmly in the political establishment, even as his direct influence has waned.

David Cameron remains a unique figure in British politics: a former prime minister who orchestrated a failed referendum campaign, then returned to high office only to see his party swept from power. For the Conservative Party, the gamble of reinstating him delivered temporary diplomatic weight but did not prevent electoral defeat. The Greensill scandal will likely shadow his legacy, but his peerage ensures he stays in the political conversation. For political observers, the lesson is clear: post-premiership life can be both lucrative and risky, and a reputation built over a decade can be damaged in a single lobbying episode.