Boris Johnson appoints new cabinet with Sajid Javid, Priti Patel and Dominic Raab in top positions
Sajid Javid has been appointed chancellor, Priti Patel home secretary and Dominic Raab foreign secretary as Boris Johnson named his new cabinet.
Mr Johnson met with his new ministers this evening after he was given permission by the Queen to form a government.
Mr Raab was also appointed first secretary of state, effectively making him Mr Johnson’s deputy prime minister. The new cabinet will also see the return of Stephen Barclay as Brexit secretary.
Arch-Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg has been made Leader of the House of Commons. He was also made Lord President of the Council and Downing Street said he would attend cabinet meetings.
Mr Johnson’s Tory leadership rival Michael Gove was named Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, while Ben Wallace was given the key role of defence secretary.
Gavin Williamson has returned to the government as education secretary after he was sacked by Theresa May earlier this year over leaked information about Chinese mobile giant Huawei.
Other appointments (all will attend cabinet)
- Heath secretary: Matt Hancock
- Business secretary: Andrea Leadsom
- Work and pensions secretary and minister for women and equalities: Amber Rudd
- Culture secretary: Nicky Morgan
- Transport secretary: Grant Shapps
- International trade secretary: Liz Truss
- Environment secretary: Theresa Villiers
- Housing secretary: Robert Jenrick
- Justice secretary: Robert Buckland
- International development secretary: Alok Sharma
- Welsh secretary: Alun Cairns
- Northern Ireland secretary: Julian Smith
- Scottish secretary: Alister Jack
- Attorney General: Geoffrey Cox
- Chief Secretary to the Treasury: Rishi Sunak
- Minister without portfolio and Conservative Party chairman: James Cleverly
- Housing minister: Ester McVey
- Home Office minister: Brandon Lewis
- Business minister: Jo Johnson
- Paymaster General and minister for Cabinet Office: Oliver Dowden
The new PM is expected to chair a meeting of his cabinet on Thursday morning before making a statement to the Commons.
Mr Javid left Number 10 at about 6.45pm followed shortly afterwards by Ms Patel.
He tweeted: “Deeply honoured to be appointed Chancellor by PM @BorisJohnson. Looking forward to working with @hmtreasury to prepare for leaving the EU, unifying our country and priming our economy for the incredible opportunities that lie ahead.”
Neither answered any questions about their appointments, with Ms Patel smiling as she walked past reporters.
She later said it was a “great honour” to be appointed home secretary, adding the role comes with “significant responsibilities”.
She told Sky News: “I will do everything in my power to keep our country safe, our people secure, and also to fight the scourge of crime that we see on our streets.
“I look forward to the challenges that now lie ahead.”
Dominic Raab said he was “hugely humbled” to be taking on his new role as foreign secretary.
“Obviously we have got the challenges of Brexit. That is something we want as a country to rise to,” he said.
“Obviously, the Foreign Office, the message about the opportunities around the world and our confidence in our country and taking those opportunities with enthusiasm and optimism is something I can’t wait to get involved with.”
Hunt backers Liam Fox and Penny Mordaunt were reportedly sacked as international trade secretary and defence secretary.
Earlier today Mr Johnson used his first speech as PM to insist that Brexit will be delivered, and that he will give the country “the leadership it deserves”.
Speaking outside 10 Downing Street after being invited by the Queen to form a government, the Tory leader said he would meet the October 31 deadline “no ifs or buts”.
He said: “I am standing before you today, to tell you the British people, that those critics are wrong – the doubters, the doomsters, the gloomsters are going to get it wrong again.”
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