This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-58571935
The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Boris Johnson gets rid of Gavin Williamson as education secretary | |
(32 minutes later) | |
Gavin Williamson has been under fire over his handling of the pandemic | |
Gavin Williamson is out as education secretary as the prime minister begins a reshuffle of his top team. | |
Mr Williamson confirmed he had left the role in a tweet, saying: "It has been a privilege to serve as education secretary since 2019." | |
Boris Johnson is speaking to ministers he wants to sack or move in his Commons office, as he puts a new cabinet line-up in place. | |
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is also among those rumoured to be moved. | |
Mr Williamson faced intense criticism over his handling of disruption to schools and exams during pandemic. | |
Follow live: Johnson reshuffles cabinet | Follow live: Johnson reshuffles cabinet |
In his twitter statement, he added: "Despite the challenges of the global pandemic, I'm particularly proud of the transformational reforms I've led in Post 16 education: in further education colleges, our Skills agenda, apprenticeships and more." | |
Earlier Downing Street said: "The PM will today conduct a reshuffle to put in place a strong and united team to build back better from the pandemic. | |
"The government must also redouble our efforts to deliver on the people's priorities. | |
"The PM will be appointing ministers this afternoon with a focus on uniting and levelling up the whole country." | "The PM will be appointing ministers this afternoon with a focus on uniting and levelling up the whole country." |
Widespread rejig? | Widespread rejig? |
Confirmation of the reshuffle came as Mr Johnson was on his feet in the Commons taking Prime Minister's Questions. | Confirmation of the reshuffle came as Mr Johnson was on his feet in the Commons taking Prime Minister's Questions. |
The government front bench could look different by the end of Wednesday | |
He is thought to have remained in the Commons after PMQs, where he will be able to sack ministers in his private office, away from the cameras in Downing Street. | He is thought to have remained in the Commons after PMQs, where he will be able to sack ministers in his private office, away from the cameras in Downing Street. |
Mr Johnson has largely stuck with the cabinet team he appointed after winning the December 2019 general election. | Mr Johnson has largely stuck with the cabinet team he appointed after winning the December 2019 general election. |
The one major change came in February 2020, when Rishi Sunak became chancellor following the resignation of Sajid Javid. | The one major change came in February 2020, when Rishi Sunak became chancellor following the resignation of Sajid Javid. |
Mr Javid returned to government in July this year as health secretary, following the resignation of Matt Hancock. | Mr Javid returned to government in July this year as health secretary, following the resignation of Matt Hancock. |
Speculation has been building for weeks that the PM is planning a more widespread rejig of his ministerial team. | Speculation has been building for weeks that the PM is planning a more widespread rejig of his ministerial team. |
Dominic Raab, who came under fire over his handling of the aftermath of the fall of Afghanistan, has also been at the centre of speculation about his future. | Dominic Raab, who came under fire over his handling of the aftermath of the fall of Afghanistan, has also been at the centre of speculation about his future. |
Home Secretary Priti Patel has also faced negative headlines over allegedly breaking ministerial rules, a police pay freeze and bullying allegations. | Home Secretary Priti Patel has also faced negative headlines over allegedly breaking ministerial rules, a police pay freeze and bullying allegations. |
But Ms Patel was in a prominent position on the government frontbench at Prime Minister's Questions, sat next to Chancellor Rishi Sunak, with Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg to the right of the PM. | But Ms Patel was in a prominent position on the government frontbench at Prime Minister's Questions, sat next to Chancellor Rishi Sunak, with Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg to the right of the PM. |
Other big Cabinet hitters could not be seen in the chamber, including Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove, who has been tipped for promotion to a more senior role. | Other big Cabinet hitters could not be seen in the chamber, including Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove, who has been tipped for promotion to a more senior role. |