Boris Johnson begins cabinet reshuffle ahead of resignation speech – live updates | Politics

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No 10 has confirmed that Greg Clark, the former business secretary who currently chairs the Commons science committee, is the new levelling up secretary.

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The Conservative MP Steve Brine told BBC News that he had been speaking to colleagues in the Commons tearoom this morning and that there was a “gathering view” that it would not be sustainable for Boris Johnson to to remain as PM until the autumn.

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He also said that he hoped the party would set a high threshold for candidates wanting to enter the first ballot, so that only MPs with significant support get considered. He said:

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We can’t just have a wacky races of 20 candidates here. We need those that are serious about being the next prime minister and have a chance of doing so, and doing so credibly.

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At the last leadership election in 2019 candidates needed to be nominated by at least 5% of MPs to be on the ballot in the first round. Ten MPs were in the contest at that point. Given the current size of the party, the 5% threshold would mean candidates requiring the backing of 18 MPs to be nominated.

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Brine said the executive of the 1922 Committee was meeting this morning to discuss the rules for a contest.

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In the Commons Michael Ellis, the Cabinet Office minister, is responding to an urgent question from Labour on the functioning of government. Here are the main points from his opening statement.

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• Ellis said “the bussiness of government continues”, and that ministers were still in place, “including in all great offices of state”. He said:

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The government continues to function … Any necessary ministerial vacancies can and will be filled. Other secretaries of state can make decisions if necessary. There is a rich reserve of people who are both dedicated and talented.

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• He said “calmness and professionalism” were now required. That prompted laughter from opposition MPs.

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• He confirmed that Boris Johnson would make a statement shortly, but he would not say what Johnson would say.

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But he failed to impress Angela Rayner, the deputy Labour leader, who opened her response to him saying: “I hate to break it to the minister, but we don’t have a functioning government.” She said the events of the last few days had serious consequences.

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• Rayner said bill committees were being cancelled because ministers were not available.

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• She said the Department for Education does not have ministers in it from the Commons.

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• She said, following the resignation of the Northern Ireland secretary, only two ministers were available authorised to sign warrants for the security services using intelligence powers.

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There is a live feed of the UQ at the top of the blog.

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Kwasi Kwarteng, the business secretary, says the new Tory leader should be in place “as soon as practicable”.

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What a depressing state of affairs. So much needless damage caused.

We now need a new Leader as soon as practicable. Someone who can rebuild trust, heal the country, and set out a new, sensible and consistent economic approach to help families (1/2)

— Kwasi Kwarteng (@KwasiKwarteng) July 7, 2022

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I’m on Teesside today launching a £400m investment – a new offshore wind factory that will employ hundreds of local people.

Westminster is a mess, but this investment – and those jobs – will outlast any PM. The wheels of Government must continue in the meantime (2/2)

— Kwasi Kwarteng (@KwasiKwarteng) July 7, 2022

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The No 10 briefing earlier suggested that Boris Johnson would like to stay as prime minister until around the time of the Conservative party conference, which starts on Sunday 2 October. It is looking increasingly unlikely that the party will tolerate that.

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Organising a ballot of Conservative party members, and allowing time for hustings, takes a while, but it would probably be feasible for the party to et a contest all over by August.

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Alternatively, some Tories are arguing for someone – probably Dominic Raab, the deputy PM, to take over as interim prime minister in the meantime. Britain has not had a formal interim PM in the past but there have been times – such as when Churchill was ill – when the prime minister’s duties have been fulfilled by a colleague or colleagues for several weeks.

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Rebecca Pow has resigned as environment minister. She has been at home with Covid, and it looks as if she drafted her letter before Boris Johnson announced his resignation. In the letter she says that she thinks Johnson’s position is “no longer tenable”. Johnson has now come to the same conclusion himself.

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It seems that Johnson’s resignation came too late to avert a resignation that was already in the pipeline.

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This week I've been at home with Covid-19. Earlier this morning I tendered my resignation as Environment Minister. Values, integrity and the morals by which I live are at stake, and the needs of the country must always come first. My letter follows.

— Rebecca Pow (@pow_rebecca) July 7, 2022

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pic.twitter.com/cceCsZa3qi

— Rebecca Pow (@pow_rebecca) July 7, 2022

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Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, says she thinks it is “not sustainable” for Boris Johnson to remain prime minister until the autumn. She has posted these on Twitter.

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1. There will be a widespread sense of relief that the chaos of the last few days (indeed months) will come to an end, though notion of Boris Johnson staying on as PM until autumn seems far from ideal, and surely not sustainable? https://t.co/SQXuCC1HYH

— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) July 7, 2022

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2. Boris Johnson was always manifestly unfit to be PM and the Tories should never have elected him leader or sustained him in office for as long as they have. But the problems run much deeper than one individual. The Westminster system is broken.

— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) July 7, 2022

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3. For 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 the democratic deficit inherent in Westminster government doesn’t get fixed with a change of PM. None of the alternative Tory PMs would ever be elected in Scotland. And in policy terms, it is hard to see what real difference hard Brexit supporting Labour offers.

— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) July 7, 2022

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4. Independence only happens if a majority living in Scotland choose it – but there is no doubt it offers the real and permanent alternative to Westminster, and the opportunity to fulfil our potential at home and play our part as a good global citizen. It’s time for that choice.

— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) July 7, 2022

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5. Lastly, my differences with Boris Johnson are many and profound. But leadership is difficult and brings with it many stresses and strains, and so on a personal level I wish him and his family well.

— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) July 7, 2022

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Two ex-ministers have told the Guardian they think it not possible for Johnson to stay till the autumn.

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One said: “He needs to be gone by tonight, Raab should take over.” Another said: “He needs to hand in the seals of office today and go. So we can have a caretaker PM.”

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Another highly senior Tory source who has been with Johnson over the past 48 hours said his behaviour meant it was dangerous for the country for him to stay. The source said:

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His behaviour in the last 48 hrs and been reckless and erratic. He cannot be trusted to lead the country until the autumn. God knows what he will do.

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One former government adviser said it was “dangerous” for Johnson to stay in post. Another ex-minister called him “a disgrace”.

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Boris Johnson spoke to Sir Graham Brady, the chair of the Conservative backbench 1922 Committee, and agreed to stand down, No 10 sources are saying. The decision was reportedly taken at about 8.30am.

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Boris Johnson has agreed to resign, the BBC’s Chris Mason reports. He says he wants a new Tory leader to be in place by the party conference. He wants to stay on as PM until then.

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Here is a full list of ministerial resignations this week.

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By 9am on Thursday, we had had 27 resignations in total – five at cabinet level, and 22 at below cabinet level.

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In addition, one other minister, Michael Gove, has been sacked as levelling up secretary, taking the total number of ministerial departures to 28.

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There have also been dozens more PPS resignations, but these are far less important. Government can function without PPSs, but not without ministers.

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Cabinet level

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On Tuesday

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Rishi Sunak, chancellor

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Sajid Javid, health secretary

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On Wednesday

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Simon Hart, Welsh secretary

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Today

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Brandon Lewis, Northern Ireland secretary

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Michelle Donelan, education secretary

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Below cabinet

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Tuesday

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Alex Chalk, solicitor general

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Wednesday

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Will Quince, minister for children and families

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Robin Walker, schools minister

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John Glen, Treasury minister

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Victoria Atkins, prisons minister

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Jo Churchill, environment minister

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Stuart Andrew, housing minister

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Kemi Badenoch, equalities minister

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Julia Lopez, media minister

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Lee Rowley, business minister

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Neil O’Brien, levelling up minister

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Alex Burghart, skills minister

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Mims Davies, employment minister

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Rachel Maclean, minister for safeguarding

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Mike Freer, equalities minister

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Edward Argar, health minister

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Today

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Helen Whately, Treasury minister

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Damian Hinds, security minister

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George Freeman, science minister

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Guy Opperman, pensions minister

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Chris Philp, tech minister

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James Cartlidge, courts minister

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Michelle Donelan was appointed education secretary on Tuesday night, to replace Nadhim Zahawi. After less than 48 hours in office, she has quit.

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With great sadness I must resign from government. pic.twitter.com/tQUf5oVHAa

— Michelle Donelan MP (@michelledonelan) July 7, 2022

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Here is the text of Nadhim Zahawi’s letter. In his tweet Zahawi makes it clear that this message is addressed to Boris Johnson, but his letter – on Treasury notepaper – reads like a press release. It is not addressed to anyone.

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This may be one of the first documents Zahawi has signed on Treasury notepaper.

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n

My number one priority has and always will be this great country. When asked to become chancellor, I did it out of loyalty. Not to a man, but loyalty to this country and all it has given me.

n

The challenges Britain faces, be it inflation or Putin’s war in Ukraine, will not pause for anything, and it is vital that the major offices of state continue to functi through a national crisis. If people have thought poorly of me for that decision, it is criticism I am willing to shoulder.

n

Yesterday, I made clear to the prime minister alongside my colleagues in No 10 that there was only one direction where this was going, and that he should leave with dignity. Out of respect, and the hopes that he would listen to an old friend of 30 years, I kept this counsel private.

n

I am heartbroken that he hasn’t listened and that he is now undermining the incredible achievements of this government at this late hour. No one will forget getting Brexit done, keeping a dangerous antisemite out of No 10, our handling of covid and our support for Ukraine in its hour of need.

n

But the country deserves a government that is not only stable, but which acts with integrity.

n

Prime Minister, you know in your heart what the right thing to do is, and go now.

n

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Nadhim Zahawi was promoted from education secretary to chancellor only on Tuesday night, replacing Rishi Sunak who resigned.

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Today Zahawi is calling on Boris Johnson to resign.

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Prime Minister: this is not sustainable and it will only get worse: for you, for the Conservative Party and most importantly of all the country. You must do the right thing and go now. pic.twitter.com/F2iKT1PhvC

— Nadhim Zahawi (@nadhimzahawi) July 7, 2022

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James Cartlidge has resigned as courts minister. In his resignation letter he says it is now “no longer even remotely possible” for Boris Johnson to “change and reset”.

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As Courts’ Minister, I have felt duty bound to remain in post because of the very challenging situation in the Crown Court. But it’s clearly impossible to continue. pic.twitter.com/F0qbiA3MG9

— James Cartlidge MP 🇬🇧 🇺🇦 (@jcartlidgemp) July 7, 2022

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Last night Braverman said she would stand in the Tory leadership contest when Boris Johnson goes.

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When it was put to her that she did not have enough experience, Braverman did not accept that. She said she had run a government department, the attorney general’s department.

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She said she wanted to be leader to deliver on the promises contained in the party’s manifesto, particularly on Brexit.

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UPDATE: Here is the clip on ITV’s Peston last night saying she would like to run for the Tory leadership.

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On the Today programme Suella Braverman, the attorney general, is being interviewed now. Normally when a minister is one the programme it is because they have been nominated by No 10. But last night Braverman said Boris Johnson should stand down, and this morning she is on the programme freelancing.

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Despite calling for Johnson to go, Braverman has not resigned – and she has not been sacked.

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Asked if Britain still has a functioning government, Braverman replies: “Technically, yes we do.”

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She says she chose not to resign because, as attorney general, she has duties to fulfil on behalf of the country.

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Chris Philp has resigned as minister for tech. In his resignation letter, he says he cannot serve under Boris Johnson any longer because of the importance of “integrity, honesty and trust” in politics.

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I’m deeply saddened it has come to this, but the PM should step down given public and Parliamentary confidence has clearly gone, and given the importance of integrity in public life. I’m therefore stepping down as Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy now pic.twitter.com/iXyd7inBQP

— Chris Philp (@CPhilpOfficial) July 7, 2022

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Lord Frost, the former Brexit minister, says Boris Johnson should resign immediately.

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He also suggests the Conservative 1922 Committee executive should meet again soon to bring forward another no confidence vote if Johnson does not quit. The executive met yesterday afternoon, but decided against an immediate change to the rules. Instead it made arrangements for the election of a new executive on Monday, after which the rules could be changed.

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It has been widely assumed that, after announcing his resignation, Johnson will stay on in office while a new Tory leader is elected. This is what has always happened in the past. When Conservative MPs elected their leader, the handover took place quickly, but party members now vote on the leader and this meant Theresa May remained in office for several weeks while her successor was chosen.

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Frost says this should not allowed to happen this time. He says Johnson cannot credibly stay on as a caretake prime minister, and that Dominic Raab, the deputy PM, should stand in for him during the leadership contest.

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A quick comment on the current situation.

The Prime Minister cannot continue because the business of government cannot continue & because it is clear that he is not supported by his Party in Parliament.

I hoped he might have reflected overnight and come to realise that. (1)

— David Frost (@DavidGHFrost) July 7, 2022

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If the PM insists on fighting this out then he will cause serious damage to the Party and Government, and destroy his place in history.

If he insists on waiting until another vote of MPs then the 1922 Exec should meet and facilitate one more quickly than planned. (2)

— David Frost (@DavidGHFrost) July 7, 2022

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Those who continue to support the PM in his actions will suffer serious damage to their reputations in future. I urge Cabinet Ministers, especially those who saw him last night, to dissociate themselves rapidly and step down, as @BrandonLewis & @siminhartmp have done. (3)

— David Frost (@DavidGHFrost) July 7, 2022

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It is also clear now that, when the PM accepts reality, he must step down straightaway. He cannot now credibly be a caretaker Prime Minister while a leadership election is taking place. We have a Deputy PM who can straightforwardly fulfil that role and he should. (4)

— David Frost (@DavidGHFrost) July 7, 2022

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Guy Opperman has resigned as pensions minister. In his resignation letter, he tells Boris Johnson “the government simply cannot function with you in charge”.

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It has been a honour, and a great responsibility, to serve as a minister, but we need leadership change, and I have resigned. I will continue to work for my constituents in Hexham from the backbenches.
My letter to the PM. pic.twitter.com/1BQMaY1ITI

— Guy Opperman (@GuyOpperman) July 7, 2022

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And George Freeman seems to have quit as science minister. He has written a coruscating letter saying that Boris Johnson is presiding over a “constitutional crisis” and that he no longer has confidence in Johnson’s “leadership of our country, government or party”. He tells the PM:

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n

I’m afraid the culmination of your lack of transparency and candour with parliament (and willingness to ask your ministers to mislead parliament), your removal of key pillars of the ministerial code, your handling of your appointment of a deputy chief whip who it turns out you knew had a history of sexual abuse allegations, is too much. This is seriously damaging public trust and respect for government, democracy and the law, and this great party’s long tradition as the party of standards, character, conduct, integrity and duty to office and country before partisan self-interest.

n

Your leadership, the chaos in No 10, breakdown of cabinet collective responsibility and collapse of public confidence in government represents a constitutional crisis. It is also now seriously undermining our authority in key negotiations on the world stage at a time of urgent international crises.

n

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Enough is enough. This can’t go on.

The chaos in No10, the breakdown of Cabinet collective responsibility, the abandonment of the Ministerial code, the defence of impropriety & defiance of Parliament are all insults to the Conservatism I believe in and stand for: pic.twitter.com/7OO5fbzdPO

— George Freeman MP (@GeorgeFreemanMP) July 7, 2022

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Freeman also says in the letter he is writing to Sir Graham Brady, chair of the Conservative 1922 Committee, calling for a fresh no confidence vote in Johnson.

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But, although the letter reads like a resignation letter, Freeman does not explicitly say in it that he is resigning. (This is not the first time that Freeman has left some ambiguity in a public statement about his position on Boris Johnson.)

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UPDATE: Freeman later confirmed he was resigning.

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Damian Hinds has resigned as security minister. Hinds, who served in cabinet as education secretary under Theresa May, says in his resignation letter there has been a “serious erosion” of standards in public life under Boris Johnson. And he says:

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n

More important than any government or leader are the standards we uphold in public life and faith in our democracy and public administration.

n

Because of the serious erosion in these, I have come to the conclusion that the right thing for our country and for our party is for you to stand down as party leader and prime minister.

n

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It has been a huge privilege and responsibility to serve as security minister.
It shouldn’t take the resignation of dozens of colleagues, but for our country, and trust in our democracy, we must have a change of leadership.
My letter to the PM: pic.twitter.com/V82wT5P2Ta

— Damian Hinds (@DamianHinds) July 7, 2022

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Good morning. Boris Johnson is still prime minister. For weeks many Tories have been urging the cabinet to mount a coup against him, and force him out. A minimalist version of that happened yesterday, but Johnson saw them off and now he remains head of a government that appears fatally weakened, bereft of credibility – and much smaller than usual (because of all the ministers who have resigned).

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Here is our overnight round-up.

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Two cabinet ministers resigned on Tuesday night (Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid), yesterday a third was sacked (Michael Gove), and a fourth resigned (Simon Hart). And within the last few minutes a fifth has gone – Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland secretary. In his resignation letter Lewis said Johnson’s government was now “past the point of no return”.

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A decent and responsible Government relies on honesty, integrity and mutual respect – it is a matter of profound personal regret that I must leave Government as I no longer believe those values are being upheld.

I have submitted my letter of resignation to the Prime Minister. pic.twitter.com/EG6u52BdDc

— Brandon Lewis (@BrandonLewis) July 7, 2022

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This morning another more junior minister has resigned too. In her letter explaining why she quit her post as Treasury minister, Helen Whately, said there were only so many times the PM could apologise for something that went wrong and hope to move on.

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With sincere regret I am resigning from Government pic.twitter.com/HpQ2rgkr4q

— Helen Whately (@Helen_Whately) July 7, 2022

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Lewis’s resignation means 22 ministers have now left the government. (Many more PPSs have quit, but they are much less important.) It is debatable whether the government can even function with some many jobs left vacant. But Johnson may well continue in office until next week, when it seems certain that the Conservative backbencher 1922 Committee will change the rules to allow another no confidence vote in Johnson, which he would lose.

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Quite what will happen today is anyone’s guess, but we will be covering all the developments here.

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Key events:

Show key events only

Chris Philp, who resigned as tech minister this morning, told Sky News this morning that if he was asked to return to office, he would. He said:

I think all of us in public life are here to serve the country and if I was able to do that in whatever capacity, then obviously I’d be happy to serve.

If I was asked to help out with getting the online safety bill through parliament, okay, I would be willing to help out in whatever way I could, in any capacity, whoever the leader was.

I’m not asking for that. I’m not expecting it. I resigned and when you resign, you resign.

And Kit Malthouse, the policing minister, will be the new chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, it is being reported. That means he will replace Steve Barclay, the new health secretary, as the Cabinet Office minister.

Cleverly and Malthouse are both loyal allies of Boris Johnson – unlike Greg Clark, whose promotion is more of a surprise.

It is also being reported that Sir Robert Buckland will be the new Welsh secretary. Buckland was justice secretary until he was sacked by Johnson last autumn.

James Cleverly appointed education secretary

James Cleverly has been appointed the new education secretary, replacing Michelle Donelan, who herself was only appointed on Tuesday to replace Nadhim Zahawi when be became chancellor. Cleverly was a minister of state at the Foreign Office.

Greg Clark appointed new levelling up secretary, replacing Michael Gove

No 10 has confirmed that Greg Clark, the former business secretary who currently chairs the Commons science committee, is the new levelling up secretary.

1922 Committee urged to set high threshold for Tory candidates to stop contest becoming ‘wacky races’

The Conservative MP Steve Brine told BBC News that he had been speaking to colleagues in the Commons tearoom this morning and that there was a “gathering view” that it would not be sustainable for Boris Johnson to to remain as PM until the autumn.

He also said that he hoped the party would set a high threshold for candidates wanting to enter the first ballot, so that only MPs with significant support get considered. He said:

We can’t just have a wacky races of 20 candidates here. We need those that are serious about being the next prime minister and have a chance of doing so, and doing so credibly.

At the last leadership election in 2019 candidates needed to be nominated by at least 5% of MPs to be on the ballot in the first round. Ten MPs were in the contest at that point. Given the current size of the party, the 5% threshold would mean candidates requiring the backing of 18 MPs to be nominated.

Brine said the executive of the 1922 Committee was meeting this morning to discuss the rules for a contest.

Around the time this morning Downing Street was announcing that Boris Johnson intends to quit as party leader, four other Conservative MPs said they were resigning from official posts.

Rob Butler resigned as a PPS to the Foreign Office.

Richard Graham resigned as a trade envoy.

Luke Hall resigned as deputy chair of the Conservative party

And Caroline Johnson resigned as vice chair of the Conservative party.

All four seem to have taken the decision to resign before Johnson announced that he was going.

Thérèse Coffey, the work and pensons secretary, says she wanted to have a meeting with Boris Johnson yesterday but did not get the chance. She implies she did not resign because she wanted to provide continuity in her department.

I asked to speak to the PM yesterday evening and had still hoped to do so today. I fully understand colleagues' concerns and the very bad situation we are now in. The wheels of government need, though, to keep turning, especially at DWP which helps the most vulnerable in society.

— Thérèse Coffey #PutinMustFail #SlavaUkraini (@theresecoffey) July 7, 2022

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I asked to speak to the PM yesterday evening and had still hoped to do so today. I fully understand colleagues’ concerns and the very bad situation we are now in. The wheels of government need, though, to keep turning, especially at DWP which helps the most vulnerable in society.

— Thérèse Coffey #PutinMustFail #SlavaUkraini (@theresecoffey) July 7, 2022

DWP needs to be firing on all cylinders to support them, especially with the cost of living payment beginning to be paid next week as part of our help for households

— Thérèse Coffey #PutinMustFail #SlavaUkraini (@theresecoffey) July 7, 2022

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DWP needs to be firing on all cylinders to support them, especially with the cost of living payment beginning to be paid next week as part of our help for households

— Thérèse Coffey #PutinMustFail #SlavaUkraini (@theresecoffey) July 7, 2022

Nick Gibb, the Tory former schools minister, has joined those saying Boris Johnson should not be allowed to remain as PM over the summer.

As well as resigning as Party leader the PM must resign his office. After losing so many ministers, he has lost the trust and authority required to continue. We need an acting PM who is not a candidate for leader to stabilise the government while a new leader is elected.

— Nick Gibb (@NickGibbUK) July 7, 2022

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As well as resigning as Party leader the PM must resign his office. After losing so many ministers, he has lost the trust and authority required to continue. We need an acting PM who is not a candidate for leader to stabilise the government while a new leader is elected.

— Nick Gibb (@NickGibbUK) July 7, 2022

Greg Clark, the former business secretary, is going to be appointed as the new levelling up secretary, the Times’ Steven Swinford reports.

Exclusive:

Being told Greg Clark is about to be announced as the new levelling up secretary (!!!!)https://t.co/z7kP1Gy8rE

— Steven Swinford (@Steven_Swinford) July 7, 2022

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The mutiple exclamation marks refer to the fact that soon after becoming PM Johnson withdrew the whip from Clark and other Tories who voted to stop the government leaving the EU without a Brexit deal. Until now people like Clark have not been welcome in Johnson’s government.

This morning started with the resignation of Brandon Lewis as Northern Ireland secretary. Michelle O’Neill, the Sinn Féin leader in Northern Ireland who is set to be first minister if the power-sharing executive is restored, posted this verdict on his time in office.

Brandon Lewis undermined the Good Friday Agreement and our political stability by placating the DUP, and his actions gave us a daily reminder why those with no mandate or votes here will only ever act in their own political interests, and never ours.

— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) July 7, 2022

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Brandon Lewis undermined the Good Friday Agreement and our political stability by placating the DUP, and his actions gave us a daily reminder why those with no mandate or votes here will only ever act in their own political interests, and never ours.

— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) July 7, 2022

Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnson’s former chief adviser who has been calling for the PM’s resignation for at least a year, says Johnson should be forced out of Downing Street immediately.

Evict TODAY or he'll cause CARNAGE, even now he's playing for time & will try to stay

No 'dignity', no 'interim while leadership contest'.

Raab shd be interim PM by evening

— Dominic Cummings (@Dominic2306) July 7, 2022

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Evict TODAY or he’ll cause CARNAGE, even now he’s playing for time & will try to stay

No ‘dignity’, no ‘interim while leadership contest’.

Raab shd be interim PM by evening

— Dominic Cummings (@Dominic2306) July 7, 2022

Cabinet ministers shd talk to Brady this a.m, agree Raab as interim PM, then speak to Cabinet Secretary and get him to fix with Palace…
Tell 🛒 you either resign and leave today or the Queen will dismiss, appoint Raab, & cops escort you from building.
🛒 will fold
Game over https://t.co/cfhp7MSe2A

— Dominic Cummings (@Dominic2306) July 7, 2022

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Cabinet ministers shd talk to Brady this a.m, agree Raab as interim PM, then speak to Cabinet Secretary and get him to fix with Palace…
Tell 🛒 you either resign and leave today or the Queen will dismiss, appoint Raab, & cops escort you from building.
🛒 will fold
Game over https://t.co/cfhp7MSe2A

— Dominic Cummings (@Dominic2306) July 7, 2022

Steve Baker, the former Brexit minister, told BBC News that he was seriously thinking of standing for the Tory leadership. He said:

People will know that in the last seven of the 12 years I’ve been in parliament I have provided leadership and organisation through really massive crises, whether it’s been Brexit or Covid, race relations, net zero.

So, of course, I’ve taken a lot of calls and meetings with potential [supporters]. Now I’m seriously thinking whether I should do it because I got into politics because I thought I wanted an MP I always agreed with. Well, maybe I’d like a prime minister that could be counted on to do what I thought best.

So, I know what I’m looking for – fierce resolve, humility, integrity, a willingness to do what’s actually right for the long and short-term of this country.

So, of course, I’m seriously considering standing because ConservativeHome members consistently put me in their top 10, so I should respect them and take that seriously.

Baker is referring to this survey of Conservative party members by the ConservativeHome website.