Cabinet reshuffle: Sajid Javid hits out at Boris Johnson's conditions after quitting as chancellor

Resignation letter says it is ‘important to have trusted teams that reflect the character and integrity you wish to be associated with’

Rishi Sunak arrives at 10 Downing Street after Sajid Javid dramatically quits

Sajid Javid has taken a swipe at Boris Johnson after quitting as chancellor, saying “any self-respecting minister” would reject the conditions the prime minister was offering, as several senior heads rolled in a cabinet reshuffle.

Mr Javid, who had long had tensions with Mr Johnson’s closest adviser, Dominic Cummings, also suggested Mr Johnson was stripping the Treasury of its credibility.

In a bombshell less than a month before the budget, he chose to quit rather than sack his aides, as the prime minister had demanded. He is being replaced by Rishi Sunak, who has been an MP for only five years.

His resignation letter said it was “important as leaders to have trusted teams that reflect the character and integrity that you would wish to be associated with”.

Also in the reshuffle, Mr Johnson sacked Julian Smith as Northern Ireland secretary, Andrea Leadsom as business secretary, Esther McVey as housing minister, Theresa Villiers as environment secretary and Geoffrey Cox as attorney general.

Labour’s shadow chancellor John McDonnell claimed Mr Javid’s shock exit showed Mr Cummings had won “absolute control” of Downing Street and had left the government “in crisis”.

Please see below for what was our live coverage.

[13 February 2020 17:04 · Ashley Cowburn]

Sajid Javid takes swipe at Boris Johnson and his successor Rishi Sunak

In his first comments since leaving No 11, Sajid Javid tells the BBC he doesn't believe any "self-respecting minister" would accept the conditions offered by Boris Johnson.

[13 February 2020 17:13 · Ashley Cowburn]

Amanda Milling appointed new Tory chair

[13 February 2020 17:18 · Ashley Cowburn]

Johnson appoints attorney general days after she attacked 'unaccountable' judges

New attorney general Suella Braverman has been appointed the government’s chief legal adviser just days after unleashing a broadside against “unelected, unaccountable” judges who she accused of encroaching on the powers of politicians and threatening the supremacy of parliament.

In a blogpost on 27 January, the keen Brexiteer said that parliament must seize back control not only from the European Union but also the courts.

As attorney, Ms Braverman will not have direct control over the legal system, though she will oversee the Crown Prosecution Service.

[13 February 2020 17:35 · Ashley Cowburn]

 Everything you didn’t know about Rishi Sunak (so that’s everything then)

Rishi Sunak has been appointed as chancellor after Sajid Javid sensationally resigned amid a row with Boris Johnson over his close aides.

Elected to parliament for the first time in 2015, Mr Sunak has had a meteoric rise through government.

But his appointment is a sign of how Mr Johnson and his aides are using the reshuffle to reward loyalty – and stamp out dissenting voices.

[13 February 2020 17:54 · Ashley Cowburn]

Sajid Javid takes parting shot at PM in resignation letter

In his resignation letter, the former chancellor said: "I regret that I could not accept the conditions attached to your reappointment. 

"It is crucial for the effectiveness of government that you have people around you have can give you clear and candid advice, as I have always sought to do."

... "I would urge you to ensure the Treasury as an institution retains as much credibility as possible."

[13 February 2020 18:00 · Ashley Cowburn]

Penny Mordaunt returns to government

Former defence secretary Penny Mordaunt will return to government as paymaster general in the Cabinet Office, Number 10 announced. She was sacked from her post as defence secretary when Boris Johnson first became prime minister.

Other ministerial appointments include Christopher Pincher as a minister of state in the ministry of housing, communities and local government and Andrew Stephenson as a minister of state in the department for transport.

Former party chairman James Cleverly has been appointed as joint minister of state in the Foreign Office and the Department for International Development.

[13 February 2020 19:07 · Jane Dalton]

George Eustice 'less strong than Gove'

New environment secretary George Eustice is unlikely to prove as strong a champion for the environment as his predecessor-before-one Michael Gove, according to eco campaign group the Green Alliance, which added: "But he knows the Defra brief very well and has spoken out in defence of strong environmental and animal protections in the farming system. It looks likely that Theresa Villiers will keep him on his toes from the backbenches."

But the group added: "A lot of questions are still to be answered when it comes to protecting the natural world."

[13 February 2020 19:18 · Jane Dalton]

Stephen Barclay handed Treasury role

Former Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay has rewarded with the job of chief secretary to the Treasury.

He will also attend cabinet, No 10 announced.

[13 February 2020 20:11 · Jane Dalton]

More ministers announced

Simon Clarke has been made a minister in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Downing Street announced.

Greg Hands will return to government as a Department for International Trade minister.

Michelle Donelan has been appointed an education minister, and Caroline Dineage has been made a minister in the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Chris Philp has been made a parliamentary under-secretary of state in the Home Office.