Liz Truss fires key Rishi Sunak allies including Dominic Raab as she launches Cabinet reshuffle

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LIZ Truss has kicked off her Cabinet reshuffle with a brutal cull of Rishi Sunak’s key allies.

The new PM sacked Dominic Raab as Justice Secretary, Grant Shapps as Transport Secretary and Steve Barclay as Health Secretary.

Deputy PM Dominic Raab has been sacked by Liz Truss

Liz Truss has started carrying out her reshuffle

All were fierce backers of the vanquished former Chancellor but will now be cast to the backbenches.

Mr Truss is expected to install her close supporters in top Cabinet posts, including Kwasi Kwarteng as Chancellor.

James Cleverly and Suella Braverman are expected to be appointed Foreign and Home Secretaries – meaning none of the top four jobs will be held by white men.

Therese Coffey is set to be made Deputy Prime Minister and Health Secretary.

Before appointing her top team in No10, Ms Truss is firing unwanted ministers from her Commons office.

Party chairman Andrew Stephenson also said he had lost his job.

Veterans Minister Jonny Mercer is also out and suggested he may quit politics.

Sacked Mr Raab said: “Thanks to the brilliant MoJ team for all their hard work over the last year. Good luck to the new PM and her team. I look forward to supporting the government from the backbenches.”

Mr Barclay said: “After 7 years in government I am returning to the backbenches. Thanks to all colleagues, both political & civil service, for their fantastic support.”

Mr Shapps said: “It has been a privilege to serve as Transport Secretary; a job I loved.

“Now I look forward to being a strong, independent voice on the backbenches, developing policies that will further the Conservative cause and the interests of my constituents in Welwyn Hatfield.”