Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove is SACKED by PM as resignations continue

Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary Michael Gove has been sacked by Boris Johnson this evening, it has now been confirmed. It comes after it was reported that the cabinet minister told the PM earlier on Wednesday that he must stand down - with Mr Johnson insisting he would still be leader on Thursday.

It has been recorded so far that 42 MPs have quit their various roles in the PMs Government since Tuesday, with swathes of backbenchers publicly announcing their lack of faith in Mr Johnson and his leadership. It has emerged that Gove was sacked via phone call shortly after 9pm on Wednesday evening (July 6).

Reports initially suggest that Mr Johnson had dismissed the Levelling Up Secretary for disloyalty, with a No10 source branding him a "snake". According to BBC's Chris Mason, a No10 source said: "You cannot have a snake who is not with you on any of the big arguments who then gleefully briefs the press that he has called for the leader to go. You cannot operate like that."

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Conservative MP Danny Kruger also said he is resigning as parliamentary private secretary for the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities following the sacking of Levelling-Up Secretary Michael Gove. The Devizes MP tweeted: “Very sorry indeed to hear @michaelgove has been fired by the PM.

“As I told No 10 earlier today it should be the PM leaving office. I am resigning as PPS at @Dluhc”.

Three ministers within Mr Gove's department also resigned today, withdrawing their support for Mr Johnson, alongside a Parliamentary Private Secretary. A defiant Boris Johnson is rejecting calls from Cabinet colleagues to quit