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Wales Online
National
Erin Santillo

Cabinet reshuffle: Full list of changes as Boris Johnson shakes up his team

Boris Johnson has carried out a reshuffle of his ministers as he attempts to shore up his position in No 10.

The Prime Minister promised to bring about a culture change in Downing Street following a highly critical preliminary report into gatherings on UK government premises during lockdown.

He is also facing mounting discontent over remarks he made in the House of Commons, falsely accusing Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer of failing to prosecute paedophile Jimmy Savile during his time at the CPS.

The reshuffle came after Mr Johnson appointed former Cabinet Office minister Steve Barclay as his chief of staff following the resignation of five aides.

Changes made by the prime minister on Tuesday include filling Mr Barclay's previous role.

Here are the changes to cabinet announced this afternoon...

Jacob Rees-Mogg

Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency

Jacob Rees-Mogg, Conservative MP for North East Somerset (Aaron Chown/PA Wire)

Jacob Rees-Mogg has been moved into a newly created role as Brexit opportunities minister. He will be hoping to deliver some of the benefits of leaving the European Union he promoted during the 2016 referendum.

The cabinet-level position will also see him responsible for "government efficiency".

He was formerly Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons, roles he held since Mr Johnson became prime minister in July 2019.

Mr Rees-Mogg was first elected the Conservative MP for North East Somerset in May 2010.

Mark Spencer

Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons

Mark Spencer, Conservative MP for Sherwood (Aaron Chown/PA Wire)

Mark Spencer has become Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons, filling the vacancies created by Mr Rees-Mogg's move into the Cabinet Office.

He will not be a full member of the cabinet, but will still attend.

Previously he held a number of junior whip roles before being appointed the government Chief Whip upon Mr Johnson's arrival in No 10 in 2019. He recently faced claims, which he has denied, that he told fellow Tory MP Nusrat Ghani she lost her ministerial role because her Muslim faith made people feel uncomfortable.

Mr Spencer was first elected the Conservative MP for Sherwood in May 2010.

Chris Heaton-Harris

Chief Whip

Chris Heaton-Harris, Conservative MP for Daventry (UK Parliament)

Chris Heaton-Harris has filled Mr Spencer's previous role as government Chief Whip, responsible for discipline on the Conservative benches.

He will not be a full member of the cabinet, but will still attend.

His move comes less than two months after he was appointed Europe minister in the Foreign Office.

Mr Heaton-Harris was first elected the Conservative MP for Daventry in May 2010.

Michael Ellis QC

Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General

Michael Ellis QC, Conservative MP for Northampton North (Getty Images)

Michael Ellis QC has taken on the role of Cabinet Office minister following Mr Barclay becoming the prime minister's chief of staff.

He will not be a full member of the cabinet, but will still attend.

He remains the Paymaster General, a role he has held since last September that has seen him defend Mr Johnson's leadership at dispatch box on a number of occasions in recent weeks.

Mr Ellis was first elected the Conservative MP for Northampton North in May 2010.

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