Boris Johnson stamped his authority on government tonight as he shipped in a host of Brexiteer ministers - after carrying out a brutal cull of Theresa May loyalists. In two hours of extraordinary political upheaval, Mr Johnson (centre) moved to create a new Eurosceptic team in the ashes of Mrs May's failed premiership.
Hardliner Dominic Raab (top left) was made his effective deputy and Foreign Secretary, with Priti Patel becoming Home Secretary as Sajid Javid was promoted to Chancellor. Michael Gove was also handed an influential job as Cabinet Office minister despite his turbulent history with Mr Johnson - and is expected to focus on contingency plans for Brexit. Another of the former premier's close allies, Ben Wallace, is Defence Secretary, while Liz Truss has gone to Trade and Theresa Villiers takes over at Environment.
Andrea Leadsom is becoming Business Secretary, and Gavin Williamson - sacked by Mrs May over national security leaks less than three months ago - has been handed Education. In a rare bright spot for the Tory Remain wing, Nicky Morgan was brought back to the top table as Culture Secretary. Former Tory chairman Grant Shapps returns at Transport. Amber Rudd has clung on as Work and Pension Secretary after humiliatingly recanting her call for a second referendum a fortnight ago and saying she could back No Deal.
Robert Jenrick has been made Housing Secretary - one of only two ministers who have not served in the Cabinet before. Mr Johnson's Tory vanquished leadership rival Jeremy Hunt was summarily dismissed after refusing a demotion from the Foreign Office, while Penny Mordaunt - who backed the loser in the contest was evicted from the MoD.
Mr Johnson had already laid down a marker this morning by installing maverick Brexit architect Dominic Cummings as one of his top advisers - to the horror of many Conservative MPs. A swathe of key figures from the Vote Leave team that won the 2016 EU referendum are being drafted in.
Mr Hunt, who was trounced by Mr Johnson for the leadership, said he 'would have been honoured to carry on my work' but he understood the need for the victor to 'choose his team'.
The sackings came after Philip Hammond, David Gauke and Rory Stewart all resigned immediately before Mr Johnson became PM, denying him the chance to fire them.
Stephen Barclay has been kept in place as Brexit Secretary, and Matt Hancock stays at Health - despite having been mooted in some quarters as deputy PM.
Mr Hunt's supporters had urged Mr Johnson to keep the foreign secretary in a senior role in his new government.
But Mr Hunt suggested the offer he had been made by the new premier was not good enough and it was 'time to return to the backbenches'.
He said: 'I would have been honoured to carry on my work at the FCO but understand the need for a new PM to choose his team. BJ kindly offered me another role but after 9 yrs in Cabinet & over 300 cab mtgs now is the time to return 2 backbenches from where PM will have my full support
'I've been a cabinet minister for every hour my 3 gorgeous children have been alive.
'So whilst it may seem strange for someone who just tried to become PM (& is a terrible cliche) I have decided now is the time for the biggest challenge of all - to be a GOOD DAD!'
Ms Mordaunt, Mr Clark and Dr Fox were all reportedly fired by Mr Johnson as he made space to appoint his supporters.
The sacked defence secretary confirmed her departure with a tweet as she said: 'I’m heading to the backbenches from where the PM will have my full support, as will my successors at [the Ministry of Defence] and [Department for Women and Equalities].
'Thank you to everyone who’s helped me get things done, especially our Armed Forces and civilians in defence for the last 85 days. We achieved much.'
Her departure stunned Westminster because she was viewed as a lock to feature in Mr Johnson's top team because of pro-Brexit stance.
Via - Dailymail
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