Cabinet reshuffle - as it happened: Theresa May hails new generation of 'gifted' ministers as she finishes day two of shakeup

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Theresa May's cabinet reshuffle: Key positions

Theresa May finished her new year’s reshuffle with a raft of new appointments for young Conservative MPs, claiming it “allows a new generation of gifted ministers to set up and make life better for people”.

She said the Government was about "building a country fit for the future – one that truly works for everyone with a stronger economy and a fairer society.

“This reshuffle helps us do just that by bringing fresh talent into Government, boosting delivery in key policy areas like housing, health and social care, and ensuring the Government looks more like the country it serves.

But the reshuffle of top posts – or lack of reshuffle – on Monday will likely overshadow the Prime Minister’s attempt to reboot her Government.

Yesterday several ministers refused to be moved on from their jobs – in a challenge to the PM’s authority – and Justine Greening walked out of Government and resigned from her post as Education Secretary after turning down a new role at the Department for Work and Pensions.

And on Tuesday, Toby Young quit his post with the higher education watchdog with an apology for his homophobic and misogynistic comments – just two days after the Prime Minister backed him to stay. The controversial right-wing journalist stepped down amid a hail of criticism over his offensive comments about women’s breasts, gay people, the disabled and starving children in Africa.

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Key Points

• Theresa May hails 'gifted' new ministers as she concludes reshuffle
• Toby Young steps down from universities regulator after becoming a 'distraction'
• Tory minister who asked secretary to buy him sex toy sacked
• May's big reshuffle hits a small snag after ministers refuse to be reshuffled
• Justine Greening quits as Education Secretary after rejecting move to DWP
• Damian Hinds named as replacement for Education Secretary

[9 January 2018 08:23 · Ashley Cowburn]

[9 January 2018 08:24 · Ashley Cowburn]

[9 January 2018 08:24 · Ashley Cowburn]

[9 January 2018 08:24 · Ashley Cowburn]

[9 January 2018 08:36 · Ashley Cowburn]

Toby Young quit his post with the higher education watchdog early on Tuesday morning with an apology for his misogynistic and homophobic comments – just two days after Theresa May backed him to stay.

The controversial journalist threw in the towel, amid a hail of criticism over his offensive comments about women’s breasts, gay people, the disabled and starving children in Africa.

The decision is a huge embarrassment for the Prime Minister who cleared Mr Young to remain in his job at the Office for Students board, provided he did not repeat the offensive tweets and articles.

[9 January 2018 08:52 · Ashley Cowburn]

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable said Young's resignation showed Mrs May had shown "poor judgment".

He said: "Toby Young's appointment was a serious mistake, but at least the man himself has realised as much and resigned.

"The Conservatives must get their basic due diligence right - getting a role in public office cannot be based solely on being a friend of Boris Johnson.

"Theresa May stood by a misogynist and supporter of eugenics. She has shown poor judgment and, coupled with a troubled reshuffle, has made a bad start to the year."

[9 January 2018 08:55 · Ashley Cowburn]

[9 January 2018 08:59 · Ashley Cowburn]

More on Young's resignation from the Office for Students from Dawn Butler, the shadow minister for women and equalities, said: "The Toby Young saga has further exposed Theresa May's total lack of judgement in appointing him and her weakness in refusing to sack him.

"She should have removed him from his post, not personally backed him at the weekend and sent a minister out to defend him in Parliament yesterday." 

[9 January 2018 09:05 · Ashley Cowburn]

[9 January 2018 09:15 · Ashley Cowburn]