Four senior MPs dropped from Cabinet by Theresa May

FOUR key members of David Cameron's Cabinet, including justice secretary Michael Gove, have lost their jobs in Government as Theresa May continues the process of appointing ministers to her new administration.

Michael Gove is one of four key members of David Cameron's Cabinet to be dropped by new PM. Picture: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

Mr Gove was sacked by the new Prime Minister on the second day of a round of appointments which has already seen fellow Brexiteer Boris Johnson - the man whose leadership plans he dashed - appointed Foreign Secretary.

The former justice secretary joins ex-chancellor George Osborne on the backbenches in a dramatic reshaping of the Cabinet team, which also saw Mr Cameron’s education secretary Nicky Morgan, culture secretary John Whittingdale and chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Letwin leave the Government.

However, a Downing Street source played down media reports that Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt was also facing the boot as “pure speculation”.

The sackings came as Mrs May returned to Downing Street on Thursday morning to continue building her new Cabinet team.

In a message on Twitter, Mr Gove - who launched his own bid for the leadership but was eliminated after finishing third in last week’s poll of Conservative MPs - said: “It’s been an enormous privilege to serve for the last six years. Best of luck to the new government - MG.”

Ms Morgan said she was “disappointed not to be continuing as education secretary and minister for women and equalities - two wonderful roles it’s been a privilege to hold”.

And Mr Whittingdale said it had been “a privilege” to serve as culture secretary, adding: “I wish my successor every success and will continue to support creative industries.”

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