May Wields The Axe To Build New-Look Cabinet

Theresa May has carried out a cull of some of David Cameron's closest allies in a shake-up of the Government which has seen promotions for women and Brexit supporters.

Michael Gove was the first to be sacked as justice secretary by the new Prime Minister, joining ex-chancellor George Osborne on the backbenches in a dramatic change to the Cabinet team.

Mr Gove, who decided to stand in the Tory leadership race and dash the premiership ambitions of his fellow Brexiteer Boris Johnson, wished the new-look Cabinet "the best of luck".

:: Live Updates: Who's In And Who's Out?

Hot on his heels out the door was Nicky Morgan, who backed his leadership bid.

Ms Morgan said she was "disappointed not to be continuing as education secretary and minister for women and equalities - two wonderful roles it's been a privilege to hold".

Prominent Brexit backer Andrea Leadsom, who stood down from the leadership contest on Monday handing the premiership to Mrs May, was put in charge at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Priti Patel, another notable Tory in favour of leaving the EU, is now in charge of international development.

John Whittingdale was sacked as culture secretary and chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Letwin was also given the boot.

Mr Whittingdale said it had been "a privilege" to serve in the Cabinet, adding: "I wish my successor every success and will continue to support creative industries."

Theresa Villiers resigned as Northern Ireland Secretary, adding that the "new Prime Minister was kind enough to offer me a role but it was not one which I felt I could take on". She has been replaced by James Brokenshire.

Mrs May's leadership rival, Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb, also quit "in the best interests of my family".

It was disclosed last week that the married father-of-two had exchanged a number of sexts with a woman in the run-up to the EU referendum.

He was replaced by Damian Green, a key supporter of Mrs May and a former immigration minister.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has kept his job - despite his failure to solve the junior doctors crisis and reports that he too was on his way out.

After meeting Mrs May, he joked reports of his "death have been greatly exaggerated", before adding he was "thrilled to be back in the best job in Government".

The sackings came as Mrs May returned to Downing Street on Thursday to continue the process of appointing ministers to her new administration.

She has also been speaking to world leaders, including US President Barack Obama and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, telling the latter Britain needs time to prepare for Brexit talks.

After a slew of appointments last night which included Chancellor Philip Hammond, Home Secretary Amber Rudd, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, Brexit Secretary David Davis, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox and Mr Johnson as Foreign Secretary, Mrs May continued the job of appointing her team.

The PM's spokeswoman described the new Cabinet as "bold" - and said it would hit the ground running.

First into Downing Street on Thursday morning was Liz Truss, who was moved from her job as environment secretary to become the new Justice Secretary.

Also mindful of loading her Government with the privately educated and privileged, Justine Greening, who was educated at a local comprehensive school, was told to pack up her things at the Department for International Development and unpack them as the new Education Secretary.

Chris Grayling, who backed the Leave campaign and was in charge of Mrs May's leadership bid, was rewarded for his support with the Transport brief, previously held by Patrick McLoughlin, who was named Conservative Party Chairman.

He was also handed Oliver Letwin's former role, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, putting him in overall charge of the Cabinet Office.

Sajid Javid moves from business to become Communities Secretary, replacing Greg Clark, who is now Business and Energy Secretary in a reshaped department.

Who's In?

:: Chancellor - Philip Hammond (previous foreign secretary)

:: Home Secretary - Amber Rudd (previously energy and climate change secretary)

:: Foreign Secretary - Boris Johnson

:: Defence Secretary - Michael Fallon (no change)

:: Secretary of State for Exiting The European Union - David Davis

:: International Trade Secretary - Liam Fox

:: Justice Secretary - Liz Truss (previously environment secretary)

:: Education Secretary - Justine Greening (previously international development secretary)

:: Transport Secretary - Chris Grayling (previously leader of the Commons)

:: Work and Pensions Secretary - Damian Green

:: Environment Secretary - Andrea Leadsom (previously energy minister)

:: Communities Secretary - Sajid Javid (previously business minister)

:: Northern Ireland Secretary - James Brokenshire (previously immigration minister)

:: Business and Energy Secretary - Greg Clark (previously local government minister)

:: International Development Secretary - Priti Patel (previously employment minister)

:: Culture Secretary - Karen Bradley

:: Wales Secretary - Alun Cairns (no change)

:: Scotland Secretary - David Mundell (no change)

:: Chief Secretary to the Treasury - David Gauke (previously financial secretary to the Treasury)

:: Leader of the House of Commons - David Lidington (previously Europe minister)

:: Chief Whip - Gavin Williamson

:: Conservative Party Chairman/Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster - Patrick McLoughlin (previously transport secretary)

:: Health Secretary - Jeremy Hunt (no change)

:: Leader of the House of Lords - Baroness Evans

Who's Out?

:: Chancellor - George Osborne

:: Justice Secretary - Michael Gove

:: Education Secretary - Nicky Morgan

:: Culture Secretary - John Whittingdale

:: Northern Ireland Secretary - Theresa Villiers

:: Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster - Oliver Letwin

:: Work and Pensions Secretary - Stephen Crabb

:: Chief Secretary to the Treasury - Greg Hands