Boris Johnson announces ministerial appointments after string of senior resignations

Boris Johnson announces ministerial appointments after string of senior resignations
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Aden-Jay Wood

By Aden-Jay Wood


Published: 07/07/2022

- 11:53

Updated: 07/07/2022

- 13:14

It comes after more than 50 Tory politicians tendered their resignation from Government in recent days

Boris Johnson has announced a series of ministerial appointments on the same day he resigned as leader of the Conservative Party.

More than 50 Tory politicians have stepped down in recent days, with many also calling for the PM to resign.


And as Mr Johnson, who will stay on as Prime Minister until a permanent successor is found, has begun to fill the vacant posts left by the resignations.

Downing Street has now appointed Kit Malthouse as Chancellor for the Duchy of Lancaster, the most senior minister in the Cabinet Office after the Prime Minister.

Minister for Crime and Policing Kit Malthouse arrives in Downing Street, London, ahead of the government's weekly Cabinet meeting. Picture date: Tuesday December 7, 2021.
Kit Malthouse
Aaron Chown

Shailesh Vara has been appointed as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Shailesh Vara has been appointed as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Parliament

While Shailesh Vara has been appointed as Northern Ireland Secretary following the resignation of Brandon Lewis earlier today.

Greg Clark has been appointed as Levelling Up Secretary, replacing Michael Gove, who was sacked after calling for the PM to quit.

And James Cleverly has been appointed Education Secretary following the resignation of Michelle Donelan earlier today.

Robert Buckland has been appointed as Welsh Secretary, replacing Simon Hart.

As the appointments continued, Andrew Stephenson has been named as Minister without Portfolio.

The appointments come after a host of high-profile politicians stepped down from their roles within Government amid the Chris Pincher row.

After refusing to step down on Wednesday despite pressure from ministers, Mr Johnson is set to formally announce his resignation as Tory Party leader later today.

A No 10 source said Mr Johnson spoke to Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the Conservative 1922 Committee, to inform him of his decision.

“The Prime Minister has spoken to Graham Brady and agreed to stand down in time for a new leader to be in place by the conference in October,” a No 10 source said.

But he could stay on as Prime Minister until a permanent successor is confirmed.

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