Women problem looms as PM’s reshuffle set for next week
Boris Johnson has earmarked 13th February for his reshuffle, CityAM has learned.
The Prime Minister is hoping to make his move just before MPs go into recess, to allow sacked ministers time to lick their wounds, according to one senior parliamentary source who has been put on standby for next Thursday.
What had initially been billed as a Valentine’s Day Massacre is now expected to be more a case of shuffling the deck, with those in top jobs including home secretary Priti Patel and chancellor Sajid Javid thought to be safe.
However a promotions is widely expected for Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister’s loyal chief secretary to the Treasury, while former Brexit secretary Steve Barclay, who lost his job on so-called Brexit Day, is also in line to make a return to the top table.
But Johnson is believed to face a problem with female ministers, as least two – culture secretary Nicky Morgan and environment secretary Theresa Villiers – are thought to be heading for the exit, while others potentially for the chop include international trade secretary Liz Truss and business secretary Andrea Leadsom.
One source said Number 10 was unhappy with the overall approach at the Department for International Trade, although it is unclear whether that will result in a ministerial scalp, or advisers being removed.
Last year Johnson’s chief adviser Dominic Cummings sacked Treasury spad Sonia Khan without Javid’s prior knowledge – leading to a breakdown in relations between the two men.
CityAM also understands that Johnson is planning to use the reshuffle as an opportunity to replace Claire O’Neill as COP26 president.
O’Neill was sacked by the government over the weekend. Her formerly independent role will be taken on by a minister, a senior government source said.
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