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As it happenedended

Boris Johnson news - live: Williamson, Raab and Patel return to government as new PM continues biggest cabinet reshuffle in modern history

Follow all the latest updates from Westminster

Lizzy Buchan
Political Correspondent
,Ashley Cowburn
Wednesday 24 July 2019 16:13 EDT
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'Never mind the backstop, the buck stops here' Boris Johnson promises to 'serve the people' in first speech as prime minister

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Boris Johnson has carried out the most brutal cabinet reshuffle in modern history as he sacked more than half of Theresa May's top team within hours of taking charge.

Allies of Ms May were unceremoniously cleared out, with rival Jeremy Hunt was among the senior figures to leave the government in favour of Brexiteers.

Sajid Javid was appointed as chancellor, with Brexiteers Priti Patel and Dominic Raab returning to the cabinet as home secretary and foreign secretary.

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Theresa May says she proud of the fact the UK has a Department for International Development - and the commitment to 0.7 of GDP on foreign aid. Boris Johnson, her successor, has previously spoken in favour of bringing the department inside the foreign office.

Ashley Cowburn24 July 2019 12:36

Ian Austin, a prominent critic of Jeremy Corbyn, tells Theresa May in PMQs the "vast majority" of Labour's MPs likely agree with her that it is time for Corbyn to consider his position.

Ashley Cowburn24 July 2019 12:49

May uses this intervention to take a swipe at the Labour Party, for its lack of a female leader - even Change UK, "or whatever the call themselves these days", have had two women in charge, she adds.

Ashley Cowburn24 July 2019 12:58

Ending her last session of prime minister's questions, Ms May received a standing ovation from the Conservative benches, but the Labour MPs remained sitting throughout.

Ashley Cowburn24 July 2019 13:08

Theresa May's motorcade has just left parliament for the last time while she is prime minister. She will return to Downing Street for a short time to address her staff, many of whom have been with her through all the ups and downs of the last three years, before travelling to Buckingham Palace to formally resign during a private audience with the Queen.

Benjamin Kentish24 July 2019 13:27

NEW: Philip Hammond has just resigned as chancellor, minutes before Theresa May steps down as prime minister. He has tweeted this statement, which says he is stepping down because Boris Johnson "must be free to choose a chancellor who is fully aligned with his policy position".

Benjamin Kentish24 July 2019 13:35

Theresa May has arrived back at No10, where she is expected to make a final speech to staff and have lunch in the garden with her husband, Philip. She will then give a public address - her last as prime minister - on the steps of Downing Street, before heading to Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen. We're expecting that to happen around 2pm, although the timings of today's historic events are obviously fluid.

Benjamin Kentish24 July 2019 13:38

Rory Stewart, who resigned as a government minister today, has joked about he and David Gauke, another resignee, returning to the cabinet in 2045...

The outgoing international development secretary was responding to Mr Gauke posting a picture of the pair that had been put through an ageing app, along with the caption: "Some of us hope to return...one day".

Benjamin Kentish24 July 2019 13:46

Former prime minister David Cameron has tweeted his congratulations to the new Conservative leader, Boris Johnson.

He said: "Congratulations Boris Johnson on becoming our Prime Minister. It is a great privilege and responsibility - but behind that famous black door you will find the most hugely talented officials waiting and wanting to help you serve the country; I wish you well."

Ashley Cowburn24 July 2019 14:03

Deputy PM and cabinet office minister David Lidington exits the government before his boss.

Ashley Cowburn24 July 2019 14:22

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