Suella Braverman was “amazed” and “in denial” over being forced to resign for breaching the ministerial code, according to sources.
Ms Braverman stood down as then PM Liz Truss’s home secretary on 19 October after admitting to a “technical infringement” by sending an official document from a personal email account.
A number of sources have disputed Ms Braverman’s version of events.
Rishi Sunak is facing questions over reappointing her six days later.
The new prime minister defended his decision to make Ms Braverman his home secretary, saying “she made an error of judgment, but she recognised that, she raised the matter and she accepted her mistake”.