RISHI Sunak is unveiling his new look Cabinet just hours after being formally appointed as Britain’s 57th Prime Minister.
Just after stepping into No10 and giving his speech to the nation, the new PM will start giving his allies top jobs as fires the starting gun on a shake-up of government.
- Read the latest on the reshuffle on our live blog here
New Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is assembling his new ministerial team
Jacob Rees-Mogg has resigned as Business Secretary
Already, major Boris Johnson ally Jacob Rees-Mogg has resigned as Business Secretary.
He was set to be fired by Mr Sunak, who previously smeared as “a socialist” – and said he wouldn’t serve in his Government.
Justice Secretary Brandon Lewis has also resigned this afternoon, likely before he was also given the sack.
In a statement he said: “An honour to have been one of the longest serving Cabinet ministers – having done eight ministerial roles, in five departments, under four Prime Ministers.
“The new Prime Minister will have my support from the back benches to tackle the many challenges we face – as a Party and as a country.”
Like Mr Rees-Mogg, Mr Lewis was going to face the sack if he didn’t step down first.
HOAR understands that former Wales Secretary Simon Hart is set to be appointed as Chief Whip, replacing Wendy Morton who struggled in the job and oversaw chaotic Commons scenes in Liz Truss’ final vote last week.
Mr Sunk has vowed to appoint a Cabinet “of all the talents” this afternoon, and is expected to draw on all wings of the Tory Party.
Close allies like Dominic Raab, Oliver Dowden and Robert Jenrick are tipped to a return to senior ministerial posts.
Mel Stride, a fiercely loyal pal of Rishi, is set for a job too.
Allies of runner-up contender, Penny Mordaunt, are pushing for her to be made Foreign Secretary – while even Michael Gove could even make a shock return.
In a dramatic day of politics…
- Rishi Sunak today vowed to fix the “mistakes” made by Liz Truss as he became Britain’s 57th Prime Minister
- Liz Truss remained defiant over her short-lived time in the top job
- Boris Johnson congratulated Rishi and urged the Tories to support the new PM
- King Charles met with Rishi at Buckingham Palace today
- Read Rishi’s first speech as PM in full here
Mr Sunak promised to “put your needs above politics” in his first address to the country in Downing Street this morning.
He said: “I will unite our country, not with words, but with action. I will work day in and day out to deliver for you.”
Wasting no time in grappling with the economic crisis gripping the country, Mr Sunak said: “That work begins immediately”.
“I will place economic stability and confidence at the heart of this government’s agenda. This will mean difficult decisions to come.
King Charles formally asked Mr Sunak to form a new government shortly after 11am following Ms Truss’ resignation.
In Ms Truss’ farewell address on Downing Street this morning, she wished her successor well with the mammoth task at hand.
Pointing to the cost of living crisis and war in Ukraine, she said: “We continue to battle through a storm – but I believe in Britain, I believe in the British people and I know that brighter days lie ahead.”
The King met Rishi this morning to form a new government
Penny Mordaunt could get a top job
Brandon Lewis, right, quit earlier today before the reshuffle started
