PM hints at quick return to government for David Laws

Mr Laws helped negotiate the Tory-Lib Dem coalition government deal

David Cameron has signalled that he would like to see former Lib Dem Treasury minister David Laws make a quick return to government.

Mr Laws resigned as chief secretary in May - just weeks after the coalition was formed - after revelations about his parliamentary expenses.

Asked if he would like Mr Laws in his top ministerial team again, Mr Cameron told journalists "yes, and soon".

Mr Laws has indicated that he would be keen on a return to office.

He told the BBC last month that "everybody wants to be in the front line".

The Lib Dem MP was the first minister to resign after the coalition was formed.

He quit as chief secretary to the Treasury after just 16 days in the job, following reports he had claimed expenses to pay rent to his partner, the lobbyist James Lundie.

Mr Laws apologised and said he would pay back the £40,000 he had claimed.

Asked by journalists on Wednesday whether he would like to see Mr Laws back in government, Mr Cameron said: "The short answer is, yes, and soon."

Mr Cameron did not elaborate on the statement or the possible timing of any return.

Mr Laws won praise from his Conservative colleagues for his role in coalition negotiations and his aggressive approach to tackling the budget deficit in the short time he worked alongside Chancellor George Osborne.

Mr Laws was replaced as chief secretary by Danny Alexander, one of five Lib Dem MPs in the Cabinet.