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Boris Johnson gets rid of Gavin Williamson as education secretary Boris Johnson gets rid of Gavin Williamson as education secretary
(32 minutes later)
Gavin Williamson has been under fire over his handling of the pandemicGavin 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. Gavin Williamson is out as education secretary as the PM gets under way with a reshuffle of his top team.
Justice Secretary Robert Buckland has also lost his job, he confirmed in a twitter message. Justice Secretary Robert Buckland and Housing and Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick have also lost their jobs, they confirmed on Twitter.
Boris Johnson is sacking ministers in his House of Commons office and is expected to start announcing replacements for them later.Boris Johnson is sacking ministers in his House of Commons office and is expected to start announcing replacements for them later.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is among those rumoured to be moved or sacked.Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is among those rumoured to be moved or sacked.
Mr Williamson faced intense criticism over his handling of disruption to schools and exams during the pandemic.Mr Williamson faced intense criticism over his handling of disruption to schools and exams during the pandemic.
Follow live: Johnson reshuffles cabinetFollow live: Johnson reshuffles cabinet
Mr Williamson confirmed he had left the role in a tweet, saying: "It has been a privilege to serve as education secretary since 2019. Where did it go wrong for Gavin Williamson?
He confirmed he had left the role in a tweet, saying: "It has been a privilege to serve as education secretary since 2019.
"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.""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."
Mr Buckland, the UK's most senior law officer, also confirmed his departure in a twitter message. Labour's shadow education secretary Kate Green said Mr Williamson had "failed children and young people, their parents and our hard working education staff throughout one of the most testing periods in our history".
He said: "It has been an honour to serve in government for the last 7 years, and as the Lord Chancellor for the last 2. Mr Buckland, the UK's most senior law officer, also confirmed his departure in a Twitter message, saying he was "deeply proud of everything I have achieved".
"I am deeply proud of everything I have achieved. On to the next adventure." Mr Jenrick - who has been under pressure over planning law changes - said it had been a "huge privilege" to serve as a minister.
Downing Street earlier confirmed the reshuffle was under way, saying the PM wanted to "put in place a strong and united team to build back better from the pandemic". Downing Street said the aim of the reshuffle was 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," No 10 added. Widespread rejig
"The PM will be appointing ministers this afternoon with a focus on uniting and levelling up the whole country."
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 WednesdayThe government front bench could look different by the end of Wednesday
He remained in the Commons after PMQs, where he is able to sack ministers in his private office, away from the cameras in Downing Street.He remained in the Commons after PMQs, where he is 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 was 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.