Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Lizzy Buchan

Tory MP issues blunt one word response to appointment of new Education Secretary

Tory infighting has exploded into the open after an MP was left unimpressed by Boris Johnson's crisis reshuffle.

Lucy Allan offered a withering assessment of the Prime Minister's decision to promote Universities Minister Michelle Donelan to Education Secretary last night.

The Telford MP, who previously served on the Education Committee with Ms Donelan, simply tweeted "Seriously" in response to the No10 announcement.

She then replied to another Twitter user, saying: "No, I am a backbencher and so not in the running for any position, but I want a credible government for our country."

Ms Allan said the resignation of Solicitor General Alex Chalk later that night was "very sad news" - and also said she was disappointed to see Nadhim Zahawi leave his job as Education Secretary.

But she pointedly left her tweet criticising Ms Donelan's promotion up.

Lucy Allan was withering in her assessment of Michelle Donelan's appointment (lucyallan/Twitter)
Lucy Allan, Tory MP for Telford (PA)

The row comes after the Prime Minister was rocked by the resignations of Cabinet ministers Sajid Javid and Rishi Sunak only minutes apart, followed by a wave of Tory ministers and aides.

Mr Johnson scrambled to plug the holes in his top team with a crisis reshuffle last night, shifting his Chief of Staff Steve Barclay to head up the Department of Health and promoting Nadhim Zahawi to become Chancellor.

Ms Donelan was then named as the next Education Secretary.

The Chippenham MP, 38, was previously a Government whip, before moving to become a junior minister in the Department for Education in 2020.

But her first day in the job was marred by two resignations, as Schools Minister Robin Walker and Children's Minister Will Quince both dramatically quit.

She has a full in tray to deal with, ranging from teachers' pay, summer exams, cost of living and potential strike action in the autumn.

Mr Johnson is fighting for his political life as Tory divisions explode around him, with MPs openly calling for him to quit.

The PM must face MPs today for Prime Minister's Questions and then the cross-party Liaison Committee, which is made up of senior backbenchers.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.