Boris Johnson Cabinet Reshuffle RECAP: Michael Gove moved to Housing | Liz Truss replaces demoted Dominic Raab | Gavin Williamson and Robert Buckland sacked | No change for Priti Patel and Rishi Sunak
Keep up-to-date with the latest developments as the Prime Minister makes changes to his top team.
Boris Johnson Cabinet Reshuffle LIVE: Wednesday, September 15
Key Events
- Truss replaces Raab as Foreign Secretary
- Gove moved to Housing, Communities and Local Govt
- Williamson and Jenrick sacked
- Sunak and Patel stay put
- Milling out as Tory co-chair
Patel spotted at No. 10
Home Secretary Priti Patel has been seen entering Number 10 amid a cabinet reshuffle which has so far seen three ministers retire to the back benches.
She was driven to the doorstep and immediately entered, avoiding press questions about whether she had kept her cabinet role.
No.10 on Raab’s demotion
Downing Street confirmed Dominic Raab’s demotion from foreign secretary to Justice Secretary.
“The Queen has been pleased to approve the appointment of the Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP as Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor, and Secretary of State for Justice,” a statement from No 10 said.
Raab confirmed as Justice Secretary
Dominic Raab has been confirmed as Justice Secretary, Lord Chancellor and Deputy Prime Minister, leaving his former brief as Foreign Secretary.
‘The Prime Minister is grateful'
Downing Street confirmed that Robert Buckland, Robert Jenrick and Gavin Williamson have left Government.
A No 10 spokeswoman said: “Robert Buckland has made a huge contribution to government as Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor, including making our streets safer through significant reforms to sentencing and tackling reoffending. The Prime Minister is grateful for his hard work and dedication.
“Robert Jenrick has led crucial work over the last two years, most importantly driving reforms to build more houses so home ownership becomes a reality for many more people. The Prime Minister is grateful for his drive and commitment.
“Gavin Williamson has played a key role in transforming the skills agenda as we create a high wage and high-skilled economy, providing a lifetime skills guarantee for millions across the country. The Prime Minister is grateful for his loyalty and service.”
Jenrick departs Cabinet after a string of controversies
Robert Jenrick sought to present himself as a clean-cut professional in the Cabinet, but the axe fell on the housing secretary after a string of high-profile and damaging accusations.
The Prime Minister stuck by Mr Jenrick despite anger over his approval of media mogul Richard Desmond’s 1,500-home Westferry Printworks development in east London.
The permission came the day before a new council community levy would have cost Mr Desmond’s company an extra £40 million.
Mr Jenrick, a father of three, later had to quash his own approval, conceding the decision was “unlawful” due to “apparent bias”.
His sacking from Boris Johnson’s top team also followed the unlawful approval of a Tory donor’s housing development and his eyebrow-raising journeys during lockdown.
Williamson labelled a ‘prat'
Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner tweeted: “It’s good that Gavin Williamson has been sacked but he should have been sacked over a year ago.
“That prat’s absolute idiocy, failures and uselessness have damaged the life chances of our country’s children and this government has failed young people, teachers & education staff.”
Oliver Dowden spotted leaving No. 10
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has been spotted leaving Downing Street amid the ongoing Cabinet reshuffle.
Details of any change of role for the 43-year-old are not yet known.
Labour slam outgoing Williamson
Labour said Gavin Williamson had left behind a legacy of exams chaos and demoralised staff following his sacking as education secretary in Boris Johnson’s Cabinet reshuffle.
Shadow education secretary Kate Green said: “Gavin Williamson has failed children and young people, their parents and our hardworking education staff throughout one of the most testing periods in our history.
“Two years of exams chaos and staff abandoned, unsupported and demoralised. That is Gavin Williamson’s legacy.
“The Prime Minister has allowed this to happen, keeping a failing Education Secretary in post for months and refusing to fight for children’s futures.”