Cabinet reshuffle: As it happened

13 February 2020, 08:30

Sajid Javid resigned as Chancellor, with reports suggesting it was because of a row about his special advisors, in a dramatic cabinet reshuffle.

His departure from one of the top positions in Boris Johnson's government appears to have taken the Prime Minister by surprise.

Mr Javid reportedly resigned because the PM insisted that he fire his special advisers, and replace them with officials chosen by Number 10.

Rishi Sunak, former Chief Secretary to the Treasury, has been promoted to be the Chancellor.

A source close to the former Chancellor said: "He has turned down the job of Chancellor of the Exchequer," a source close to Mr Javid said.

"The Prime Minister said he had to fire all his special advisers and replace them with Number 10 special advisers to make it one team.

"The Chancellor said no self-respecting minister would accept those terms."

And there will be a joint pool of advisers serving No 10 and No 11.

The PM is carrying out a reshuffle of his top team - and has so far sacked Andrea Leadsom, Julian Smith, Geoffrey Cox,George Freeman, Chris Skidmore, Nusrat Ghani and Theresa Villiers.

Priti Patel, Matt Hancock, Dominic Raab, Michael Gove and Lizz Truss are amongst the big hitters keeping their roles.

Promotions so far include Oliver Dowden to culture secretary, Alok Sharma as business secretary and Anne-Marie Trevelyan as international development secretary.

Later today, the Prime Minister is set to unveil what he calls a "generation of talent" to enact his vision for the future.

It has only been two months since the election, and as long as everything goes smoothly the new team could potentially be in power for the next five years.

Keep with us below for all the latest on the reshuffle as it happens.

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