Boris Johnson has begun assembling his new cabinet, with several senior Conservatives leaving their government jobs.
Penny Mordaunt, Liam Fox, Greg Clark, Chris Grayling, Damian Hinds, Karen Bradley, David Mundell and James Brokenshire have all returned to the backbenches.
And in a shock move, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he was returning to the backbenches.1/4 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— Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) July 24, 2019I’m heading to the backbenches from where the PM will have my full support, as will my successors at @DefenceHQ & @WomenEqualitiesThank 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🇬🇧— Penny Mordaunt MP (@PennyMordaunt) July 24, 2019(1/4) Sadly, I will be leaving the Government. It has been a privilege to have served as
Secretary of State for International Trade these past 3 years.— Dr Liam Fox MP (@LiamFox) July 24, 2019I warmly congratulate
Boris Johnson on becoming Prime Minister. He is right to appoint a new team for a new premiership and I wish him and them well for the vital work ahead. 1/3— Greg Clark (@GregClarkMP) July 24, 2019After 13 years service on the front bench including 9 in Government will be heading to the backbenches. Has been a huge privilege to serve, but looking forward to being released from collective responsibility and campaigning on issues that matter to me and my constituents.— James Brokenshire (@JBrokenshire) July 24, 2019It has been the greatest privilege to serve as Education Secretary. Thank you to the brilliant team at @educationgovuk. And thank you to everyone working in education and children's care, for all you do. I look forward to supporting the government from the backbenches.— Damian Hinds (@DamianHinds) July 24, 2019Disappointed but not surprised to be leaving the
Scotland Office after 9 years. Will, of course, support the new Government, but as I said to PM this afternoon I will also hold him to account on his commitments to the Union. Hope there’s still room on the backbenches! 🏴🇬🇧— David Mundell (@DavidMundellDCT) July 24, 2019It has been an enormous honour to serve in Theresa May’s Government for 3 years. I look forward to returning to the backbenches and championing the issues of Romsey and Southampton North residents. My successor as Immigration Minister undoubtedly has a massive challenge ahead.— Caroline Nokes (@carolinenokes) July 24, 2019Speaking outside Downing Street, Johnson said he would take the
UK out of EU by October 31 “no ifs, no buts” and hit out at “pessimists”.
“The doubters, the doomsters, the gloomsters, they are going to get it wrong again,” he said.
“I will take personal responsibility for the change I want to see. “Never mind the backstop, the buck stops here.”
Several senior Conservatives, including chancellor Philip Hammond, resigned from the government rather than wait for Johnson to
fire them.
A source close to Johnson the new prime minister would “build a cabinet showcasing all the talents within the party that truly reflect modern Britain”.CABINET MINISTERS OUT
Philip Hammond - Chancellor
Jeremy Hunt - Foreign Secretary
David Lidington - Cabinet Office and Deputy PM
Penny Mordaunt - Defence Secretary
Damian Hinds - Education Secretary
David Gauke - Justice Secretary
Liam Fox - Trade Secretary
James Brokenshire - Housing and Local Government Secretary
Greg Clark - Business Secretary
Karen Bradley - Northern
Ireland Secretary
David Mundell - Scottish Secretary Theresa May used her farewell statement to say Johnson’s priority must be a
Brexit “that works for the whole United Kingdom”.
Hunt was forced from his role and his supporters were rounded on by the freshly-anointed Tory leader.
Johnson sacked Liam Fox as international trade secretary and Penny Mordaunt as defence secretary, PA understands.
Fox and Mordaunt had backed Hunt, while Fox had gone a step further in criticising Johnson’s Brexit plan.
Scottish Secretary David Mundell, who previously said he would find it “extremely difficult” to serve Johnson, tweeted that he was “disappointed but not surprised” to be departing.
Also leaving the frontbenches after Johnson was formally appointed as PM by the
Queen were Hunt-backer Hinds and Business Secretary Greg Clark.
Clark had recently warned that “many thousands” of jobs would be lost in a no-deal Brexit, which Johnson has declined to rule out.Related... Prime Minister Boris Johnson Pledges To Deliver Brexit 'No Ifs No Buts' By Halloween Jeremy Hunt Quits Cabinet After Boris Johnson Tried To Move Him From Foreign Office Philip Hammond Resigns As Boris Johnson Prepares To Appoint His New Cabinet