Boris' last stand: Gove sacked in revenge reshuffle as Cabinet calls for PM to go

7 July 2022, 00:43 | Updated: 7 July 2022, 07:47

Boris Johnson has sacked Michael Gove as levelling up secretary as he battles to keep hold of the keys to No 10.

Mr Johnson fought a torrent of ministerial resignations on Tuesday and Wednesday, as a row about his decision to appoint Chris Pincher added to growing mutiny over a string of recent scandals including Partygate.

George Freeman, Science Minister became the 50th MP to resign writing: "The chaos in No10, the breakdown of Cabinet collective responsibility, the abandonment of the Ministerial code, the defence of impropriety and defiance of Parliament are all insults to the Conservatism I believe in and stand for."

Damian Hinds also resigned on Thursday writing in a public social media post: "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."

Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis resigned from the Cabinet, telling the Prime Minister that Government requires "honesty, integrity and mutual respect".

Helen Whatley, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury handed in her notice saying "there are only so many times you can apologise and move on".

Michael Gove was branded a "snake" by a Downing St source after he joined voices urging Mr Johnson to step down.

Read more: Full list of Tory MPs who have quit Boris Johnson's govt

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"You can't have a snake who is not with you on any of the big arguments who then gleefully tells the press the leader has to go," said the source according to the BBC.

Mr Johnson phoned Mr Gove on Wednesday evening to tell him he was fired.

Michael Gove is just one of the Cabinet ministers said to have told Mr Johnson he should resign.

Other previously-loyal ministers who are thought to have told Mr Johnson his time as PM is up include home secretary Priti Patel, trade secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan and the newly-appointed chancellor Nadhim Zahawi.

The group of ministers were thought to have met Mr Johnson at Downing St on Wednesday evening to ask him to step down.

Read more: Boris insists 'of course' he'll still be PM tomorrow amid wave of Tory resignations

Watch: ‘Enough is enough’: Sajid Javid slams Boris in heartfelt demand for PM to go

And then on Thursday night Attorney General Suella Braverman called for him go, and even announced her own intentions to run for leader, on ITV's Peston.

But the PM has so far refused to entertain the idea, with his spokesperson saying he "fights on".

Other Cabinet ministers, including Nadine Dorries and Dominic Raab, have remained steadfast in their support for Mr Johnson.

Iain Dale: Sacking Michael Gove 'a very brave move'

Mr Gove's sacking prompted the resignation of the levelling up parliamentary private secretary (PPS) Danny Kruger, who said on Twitter "it should be the PM leaving office".

He is one of 46 ministers to have called time on their role in Mr Johnson's government since Tuesday evening, when the resignation of former health secretary Sajid Javid prompted an exodus of some of Mr Johnson's closest allies.

Since Tuesday evening, three Cabinet ministers - Mr Javid, chancellor Rishi Sunak and Welsh secretary Simon Hart - have stepped down.

Read more: What happens next? Timeline for Boris to face second no confidence vote

Watch: Sunak and Javid didn’t take 'cowards way out,' insists Chancellor as PM fights to survive

As well as this, 16 ministers - including former Johnson loyalist Ed Argar and home office minister Victoria Atkins - have quit.

A total of 22 PPSs - including Mr Kruger - the Tory party vice chair and four trade envoys had also stepped down as of midnight on Wednesday.

It means more ministers have resigned from government on Wednesday than have ever done before in a single day.

As well as the ministers who have resigned, a string of no confidence letters are also believed to have been handed to 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady over the past two days.

On Wednesday there was speculation the Committee - which does not allow a second no confidence motion within a year of the Prime Minister winning one - could change the rules to allow for another vote.

But instead it was decided the elections for a new executive will be held on Monday.

A number of Tory MPs have said they will stand for the Committee on the basis they would vote for a rule change if they were elected to enable another confidence vote to take place before next year.

As a result, the election is being seen at Westminster as something of a proxy for a second confidence vote.