The education secretary Gavin Williamson is widely tipped to leave his role in Boris Johnson’s reshuffle today.
HuffPost deputy political editor Sophia Sleigh reported this afternoon that Williamson had “given a leaving speech in his office”, according to a source. Williamson’s departure was also confirmed to FE Week by a second source.
Downing Street confirmed earlier today that the prime minister was conducting a reshuffle “to put in place a strong and united team to build back better from the pandemic”.
At prime minister’s questions, Williamson was reportedly one of two cabinet ministers missing from the front bench, along with Dominic Raab.
It is not yet known whether the MP for South Staffordshire will take up another cabinet role, though it is rumoured he is being lined up as a potential Northern Ireland secretary.
It is also rumoured that Oliver Dowden, currently the culture secretary, could take over from Williamson at the Department for Education.
Kemi Badenoch, currently a Treasury and equalities minister, has also previously been tipped as a potential successor.
The prime minister is expected to reshuffle cabinet ministers today, while appointments to more junior offices will be announced tomorrow.
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