The new International Development Secretary once called for the foreign aid department to be scrapped in its current form.

Priti Patel was quoted in the Telegraph in 2013 saying: "A long-term strategic assessment is required, including the consideration to replace DfID (Department for International Development) with a Department for International Trade and Development in order to enable the UK to focus on enhancing trade with the developing world and seek out new investment opportunities in the global race."

The Brexit campaigner has been promoted to her first full Cabinet role in a move which will help fulfil new Prime Minister Theresa May's ambitions to unite the Tories and get more women into top jobs.

She immediately faced calls to guarantee Britain's legal commitment to spending 0.7% of GDP on overseas aid.

Aid charity World Vision UK called on Ms Patel to make a "no cuts" pledge.

World Vision's Rob Henderson said: "People question what impact a Whitehall department has on children's lives thousands of miles away. The answer is 'massive'. The UK punches above its weight - championing children abused by war, ending child marriage and restoring dignity to children in the world's toughest places. Our influence on the world stage makes this country a force to be reckoned with.

"Priti Patel must honour our progressive track record on a range of projects - like promoting peace through inter-faith work and halting the spread of Ebola. She must continue Britain's 0.7% overseas aid promise, spending generously and wisely to give a brighter future for millions of children across world."

Oxfam "warmly welcomed" her appointment.

UK chief executive Mark Goldring said: "We look forward to working with her to extend Britain's proud record helping millions of people who are trapped in poverty or hit by disasters or conflicts and who get the chance of a better life thanks to our aid."

Ms Patel is no stranger to controversy, having previously advocated bringing back the death penalty.

And she was accused of "divide and rule politics" during the referendum campaign for claiming that "biased" immigration policy prevents curry chefs from outside the EU from working in Britain.

Ms Patel became MP for Witham in 2010 and joined the frontbench as a Treasury minister in 2014 before becoming employment minister after the 2015 general election.

Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Tom Brake described Ms Patel's appointment as "deeply concerning".

Mr Brake said: "Not only has Ms Patel expressed support for the death penalty and voted against same-sex marriage, she has also previously called for DFID to be scrapped and for the development agenda to be solely focused on new private sector investment opportunities.

"As the internationalist party which in coalition brought in the legislation committing us to 0.7% GNI spending on international development, the Liberal Democrats will be keeping a very close eye on DfID-sceptic Ms Patel as she takes on her new role."