BORIS Johnson carried out a purge of Theresa May’s Cabinet, sacking ministers insufficiently committed to a no-deal Brexit.
In a dramatic start to his premiership, within an hour of moving into Downing Street, the new prime minister moved Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox and Business Secretary Greg Clark to the backbenches.
Scottish Secretary David Mundell and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, both of whom had been hoping to hold on to their positions, were sacked soon after.
Hunt said he would have been “honoured” to continue at the Foreign Office but decided to return to the backbenches despite Johnson having “kindly offered” him a different role.
Out too was gaffe-prone Transport Secretary Chris Grayling and Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley.
The Cabinet cull followed resignations by Chancellor Philip Hammond, Cabinet Office minister David Lidington, International Development Secretary Rory Stewart and Justice Secretary David Gauke.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson ignores Ruth Davidson and sacks David Mundell
In total, 18 MPs who attended Theresa May’s cabinet are now on the backbenches, making it the biggest ever clear out of ministers without an election or change in government.
The overhaul saw Vote Leave campaigners take over some of the key positions. During the leadership contest Johnson pledged to only have ministers who were committed to leaving the EU on October 31 – with or without a deal.
Staunch Brexiteer Dominic Raab was made Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State, becoming Johnson’s de facto deputy prime minister.
He stood against Johnson for the leadership, but failed to win over the support of enough Tory MPs.
Mundell was replaced as Scottish Secretary by his constituency neighbour, Alister Jack.
Priti Patel was given the job of Home Secretary, despite being sacked in disgrace by Theresa May in 2017.
The staunch Brexiteer was forced to resign as international development secretary over a series of unauthorised meetings with Israeli politicians, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
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Michael Gove is now the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, effectively a minister without portfolio. The role had previously been occupied by Lidington.
Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay was one of the few ministers to remain in post, so too did Matt Hancock who stays on as Health Secretary.
Amber Rudd, who served as a key lieutenant in Hunt’s leadership campaign, also kept her job at the Department for Work and Pensions, though she now also doubles up as the minister for Women and Equalities.
Sajid Javid, who stood against Johnson for the leadership, was made Chancellor. Though he voted Remain in the 2016 referendum, he has recently expressed his willingness for the UK to leave the EU without a deal.
Gavin Williamson, sacked as defence secretary by May after an he was accused of leaking highly sensitive intelligence from the National Security Council, became Johnson’s Education Secretary.
READ MORE: First Minister slams Boris Johnson 'blame-shifting' on Brexit
Brexit supporter Theresa Villiers, who resigned as Northern Ireland Secretary after the Brexit referendum, became Environment Secretary.
Liz Truss replaces Liam Fox as International Trade Secretary. She is another Brexiteer and has been a committed Johnson supporter from day one.
Ben Wallace, who was briefly a Tory MSP before being elected to Westminster 15 years ago, becomes Defence Secretary.
He has a military background, serving as an officer in the Scots Guards in Northern Ireland.
MP Nick Boles, who left the Tories earlier this year, was scathing.
In a tweet, shared by Nicola Sturgeon, he wrote: “The hard right has taken over the Conservative Party. Thatcherites, libertarians and no-deal Brexiters control it top to bottom. Liberal One Nation Conservatives have been ruthlessly culled. Only a few neutered captives are being kept on as window dressing.”
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