Boris Johnson, the prime Minister, has fired Michael Gove (the long-serving cabinet secretary) this evening.
Mr Gove, who was previously the Secretary of state for Levelling up, could now be the first British cabinet Minister to be fired by any three prime ministers. He was previously dismissed by David Cameron and Theresa May.
Since 2010, Gove is a regualar in the cabinet. He was previously Secretary of State Education, Justice Secretary, Chief Whip, Secretary of State For the Environment.
Following the news that Mr Gove has been sacked, a further government PPS, Danny Kruger, the son of the TV chef, Prue Leith, has resigned, potentially in protest at Mr Gove’s sacking.
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Mr Gove was among a number of cabinet members who attended a meeting earlier with the prime Minister to tell him to resign.
The precise details of Mr Gove’s departure remain unclear, but it is certainly possible that he was dismissed by Mr Johnson before he was able to resign.
The prime minister’s PPS, James Duddridge MP, has this evening told Sky News that reports that other cabinet ministers, such as Nadhim Zahawi, called on Mr Johnson to resign, were incorrect.
Mr Gove previously thwarted Mr Johnson’s 2016 Conservative leadership bid
It was an extraordinary day in British politics when 43 Conserative MPs resigned as ministers, parliamentary private secretary, party chairman and trade envoys.
11 government resignations were filed in 1932, making them the largest batch ever.
The 1922 Committee of conservative backbenchers is now in focus, as Johnson refuses to resign. It is highly probable that the committee will initiate a follow-up leadership ballot.
Sky News: Bob Seeley, Conservative MP, said that Mr Johnson would be defeated in such a ballot by between 200 and 250 Conservative MPs.
Mr Seeley is one among a number Conservative MPs that backed Mr Johnson during the June leadership contest. However, he said that he will not support Mr Johnson now in a future leadership election.
