Boris Johnson news – live: Truss ousts Raab in reshuffle as Gove to housing and Williamson out
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By The Houses of Parliament at Westminster in London – Boris reshuffles his Cabint.
Liz Truss has been appointed foreign secretary replacing Dominic Raab who was demoted to justice secretary in the prime minister’s cabinet shuffle. Mr Raab also holds the roles of Lord Chancellor and deputy prime minister.
Michael Gove has been appointed secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, replacing Robert Jenrick who was ousted earlier this afternoon. He will also retain responsibility for relations with the UK’s devolved administrations.
Gavin Williamson was removed from his role as education secretary, and Robert Buckland was also removed from his posting as justice secretary.
The government hopes to complete cabinet-level appointments today, with more junior posts to be announced in the coming days.
A Downing Street source said: “The prime minister will today conduct a reshuffle to put in place a strong and united team to build back better from the pandemic.”
Meanwhile, Boris Johnson has refused to explain how universal credit claimants would be able to recoup their looming £20-a-week cut in payments.
The prime minister was challenged to set out how many hours of extra work will be needed – after a Cabinet minister wrongly claimed it is just two.
But Mr Johnson declined to say whether the true figure is higher or lower.
Key Points
- Government delays key border checks on EU imports
- Labour urges Tory MPs to oppose universal credit cut
- Inflation soars to highest since 2012
- Keir Starmer kicks off PMQs with universal credit grilling
- Boris Johnson poised to wield axe on cabinet under-performers in reshuffle
- Johnson refuses to explain how universal credit claimants can make up lost £20-a-week
- Gavin Williamson removed as education secretary in cabinet reshuffle
- Robert Jenrick removed as housing secretary in cabinet reshuffle
Nadine Dorries appointed culture secretary
16:59 , Celine WadheraNadine Dorries has been appointed secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport, Downing Street has announced.
She replaces Oliver Dowden who was demoted to minister without portfolio.
Oliver Dowden appointed ‘minister without portfolio, cabinet office’
16:56 , Celine WadheraOliver Dowden has been appointed minister without portfolio, cabinet office, Downing Street has confirmed.
Mr Dowden previously held the post of culture secretary.
The BBC reported that Mr Dowden has also been appointed the new co-chairman of the Conservative Party, replacing Amanda Milling.
16:50 , Celine WadheraLabour reacts to departure of justice secretary Robert Buckland
Labour’s shadow justice secretary said that while he was able to work “constructively” with the outgoing minister, the new justice secretary “must be capable of fixing the courts crisis”.
David Lammy said on Twitter: “This Government has run the justice system into the ground and onto the brink of collapse.
“The Crown Court backlog has reached a record-high while the number of rape convictions are at a record-low.
“Always affable, I was able to work constructively with @RobertBuckland during the peak of the coronavirus crisis and wish him well, but the new Justice Secretary must be capable of fixing the courts and victims crisis the Conservative government has created.”
He added: “The new Justice Secretary will be the sixth in the past six years.
“Victims of crime facing years of delays deserve better.
“The new Justice Secretary must be capable of fixing the courts crisis the @Conservatives created.”
Priti Patel: ‘a huge privilege to continue serving as home secretary’
16:32 , Celine WadheraPriti Patel, who retained her post as home secretary, tweeted following her re-appointment.
She said: “A huge privilege to continue serving as Home Secretary under our Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
“There is still so much more to do to deliver for the British people. Tackling illegal migration, cutting crime and continuing to keep our great country safe.”
Michael Gove appointed secretary of state for housing, communities and local government
16:23 , Celine WadheraDowning Street has confirmed that Michael Gove has been appointed secretary of state for housing, communities and local government.
“He takes on cross-governmental responsibility for levelling up. He retains ministerial responsibility for the Union and elections,” Downing Street said on Twitter.
Downing Street confirms Patel as home secretary
16:10 , Celine WadheraDowning street has officially confirmed that Priti Patel will remain in her post as home secretary.
Michael Gove appointed housing minister
16:09 , Celine WadheraFormer cabinet office minister Michael Gove has been appointed housing minister in Boris Johnson’s cabinet shuffle, Reuters has reported.
Liz Truss appointed foreign secretary
16:03 , Celine WadheraLiz Truss has been appointed foreign secretary, replacing Dominic Raab who has been appointed deputy prime minister in Boris Johnson’s cabinet reshuffle.
Labour’s deputy leader, Angela Rayner, has celebrated education secretary Gavin Williamson’s departure from cabinet
On Twitter, she said: “It’s good that Gavin Williamson has been sacked but she 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.”
Priti Patel to remain as home secretary, says No 10 source
15:58 , Celine WadheraHome secretary Priti Patel has left Downing Street but did not respond to questions about whether she was still in the same cabinet role amid the prime minister’s reshuffle.
A No 10 source told PA News Agency that Ms Patel would remain in her post as home secretary despite widespread speculation she would be moved to another posting.
Gove and Dowden enter Downing Street
15:52 , Celine WadheraCabinet office minister Michael Gove and culture secretary Oliver Dowden have both entered No 10 Downing Street.
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